



























COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 


2 . 














THE NOBLE EARL 
OF FLEETWOOD 


KATHRYN’S PROMISE 






BROADWAY PUBLISHING COMPANY 
835 Broadway, New York 





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Copyright, 1913, 
By 

Mrs. S. F. Annis. 


©Cl. A3 4 7 7 6 8 


c/ 


Dedicated to 
Miss S. R. Smith, 

A dear friend who, with gentle sympathy, sweet solici- 
tude and cheering praise, has lent encouragement to 

The Author. 



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CONTENTS 


Chapter. Page. 

I — The Country Home 1 

II — The Baron of Wierwolf 13 

III — The Heiress 37 

IV — Among Old Friends 52 

V — Embarkation ... 66 

VI — The Journey 71 

VII — A Talk with Grandfather 92 

VIII — Meeting of Annie and Guy 108 

IX — The Banshee’s Voice 114 

X — A Confession 121 

XI — The Young Earl of Fleetwood 129 

XII — Cupid’s Caper 150 

XIII— Wedding Bells 160 

XIV — A Meeting in the Orchard 177 

XV — A Horseback Ride . . 183 

XVI— Hallowe’en 193 

XVII — Christmas at Fleetwood 207 

XVIII — An Evening at Fleetwood Castle... 223 

XIX — The Hunting Party 240 

XX — The Hunt 243 

XXI — Moonlight at Old Tower 256 

XXII — The Contretemps £62 

XXIII — Love Confessed 280 

XXIV — The Countess’ Ball 288 

XXV — Farewells 299 

XXVI— To Paris 302 

XXVII— In Paris 308 


CONTENTS — Cont. 


Chapter. Page. 

XXVIII — Lady Hawren and the Spinners 315 

XXIX— The Old Castle 323 

XXX — The Ghost 336 

XXXI — Young Love 345 

XXXII — An Unexpected Meeting 352 

XXXIII — A Day on the Shelly Sands 364 

XXXIV — A Confession 369 

XXXV — The Fete Champetre 374 

XXXVI — The Fete Champetre — ( Continued ) 387 

XXXVII — Louis and Rosa 395 

XXXVIII— In the Grotto 406 

XXXIX— The Villain 418 

XL — A Merry Evening 427 

XLI — On the Witches’ Stairway 439 

XLII — The Storm 446 

XLI 1 1 — The Storm — The Abduction 459 

XLIV — Kathryn in Prison 471 

XLV — The Rescue 483 

XLVI — A Denouement 497 

XLVII — Last Days at Old Castle 521 

XLVIII — Reunited — The Parting 534 

XLIX — Shipwreck 542 

L — Knighthood 545 

LI — Wedding 552 

LII — A Moment of Excitement at Fleetwood 554 

LIII — Nora and Major O’Connor 563 

LIV — Lord Montstuart ....... 568 


The Noble Earl of Fleetwood 


CHAPTER I. 

THE COUNTRY HOME. 

“Where is the maid of mortal strain 
That may match with the Baron of Triermain? 

She must be lovely, and constant and kind; 

Holy and pure, and humble of mind; 

Blithe of cheer and gentle of mood, 

Courteous and generous, and noble of blood — 
Lovely as the sun’s first ray, 

When it breaks the clouds of an April day.” 

About thirty miles from the city of Williamsburg, 
seat of the Royal Government of the Colony of Vir- 
ginia, was a small village, situated on the York River. 
And near this place, on the east, stood a residence, 
unpretentious, though picturesque in the extreme, the 
hills and bluffs along the river lending a charming 
background to the scene. Poplars, tall and spare, 
stood along the fence, which was rugged and down in 
places, giving the place an appearance of having been 
neglected. Inside the yard a black palfrey eagerly 
munched the dry grass. 

In the cosy sitting-room of this home sat Mrs. Ar- 
ranton and her daughter, Kathryn, beside a vawning 
fireplace, in which blazed a fine wood fire. The sun 
had just gone down under a dark-gray cloud, as Kath- 
ryn could see from a window by her side. Starting 
up, she exclaimed : 


2 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Oh, I’m so glad, mother! I hear Ned coming. I 
have missed him so much to-day.” 

“Yes, we miss the dear boy sadly when he goes out,” 
returned Mrs. Arranton. 

Footsteps were now heard in the corridor ; the 
young man entered, threw off his greatcoat, hat and 
gloves, and stood brushing the dark locks from his 
brow, as Kathryn, opening the door, gave him wel- 
come, saying: 

“Oh, Ned, you truant! We’ve missed you to-day.” 

Mrs. Arranton welcomed him with a sweet, sad 
smile, inquiring: 

“How liked you your work, Edwin?” 

“Quite well, my dear aunt; it is grand to go into 
the forest, fell the great trees, and trim them up for 
firewood.” 

“And, poor little Ned, do you really like to labor 
with your own hands, and did you get a good load o’ 
wood?” asked his cousin, Kathryn. 

“Indeed, we did, cousin. Silas is fine with the axe, 
and I am not slow myself ; and I do like it,” he said 
bravely. 

Ned was a slender lad, scarce seventeen, with hand- 
some features and mild, dark eyes. 

They sat conversing for a time. Presently a little 
bell jingled in the distance, and they with one accord 
arose and repaired to the dining-room. 

Here, near the fire, a small table was arranged for 
three. A tall, angular negro woman stood behind the 
chair intended for the mistress. 

With great dignity she drew back the chair, and, 
seating her mistress, she placed an Ottoman under her 
feet, then proceeded to serve the evening meal. 

This was a small family — Mrs. Arranton, her daugh- 
ter, and her nephew, with two negro servants. Mrs. 
Arranton — a widow, a beautiful woman, somewhere 
near five-and-thirty, but so well preserved was she that 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


$ 

she might be called five-and-twenty, a woman of ele- 
gant bearing, wearing a tender and sorrowful expres- 
sion. The young girl did not in the least resemble her 
mother ; sixteen, scarce fully grown, though large for 
her age, plump and rosy, her complexion creamy and 
soft, distinctly differing from the clear marble-like 
whiteness of that of her mother, her hair a mass of 
dark gold-brown. 

Their dinner consisted of rich, creamy milk, butter, 
white biscuits, Indian pudding, and eggs, with a sec- 
ond course of native fruits and nuts. 

The frugal meal soon dispatched, they returned to 
the sitting-room. 

Mrs. Arranton took up her knitting, while Kathryn 
and her cousin turned their attention to a game of 
some kind. 

“How is it now, mother, with your knitting ; are 
you soon to have the piece done ?” asked Kathryn. 

“It grows apace,” Mrs. Arranton replied. 

“Slowly, is it not, mother? And I am not to marry 
until it is finished. It is an extra fine piece of silk 
lace, Ned, which she learned to knit in St. Cathrin’s 
Convent in Paris. She says I shall wear it on my wed- 
ding gown — on the corsage, Ned,” she said gaily. 

“Well, cousin, you are not impatient to have it fin- 
ished?” queried Ned. 

“It will be done in good time,” said Mrs. Arranton 
calmly. 

“Ho, Ned, my dear cousin, see how she puts me off ! 
I very much fear I shall be an old maid ere the piece 
is finished — eh, mother?” 

“Oh,” returned Mrs. Arranton, “I have a number 
of years in which to perform my task.” 

“Aha, now, mother! Are not you like the faithful 
Penelope, who, in order to put off her suitors, pro- 
longed her work by raveling out at night what she had 


4 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


accomplished in the day? And do you thus, mother, 
remain awake o’nights to unravel your lace-work V* 

“You are young yet, Kathryn, to even joke about 
marriage ; but your destiny lies hidden in the future,’’ 
remarked Mrs. Arranton gravely. “Situated as we 
now are, your prospects are dark ; you must wait till 
the proper knight comes along. And since our posi- 
tion in life is different from what it formerly was, you 
can never expect to be mated with one your equal in 
birth and lineage.” 

“I perceive, cousin, my aunt is in no hurry to finish 
the piece,” observed Edwin. 

At this juncture Silas, a young negro man; or 
rather lad, entered by a side door, and deposited a 
large load of wood on one side of the broad hearth. 

“What of the weather, Silas?” inquired Mrs. Ar- 
ranton. “Is it growing colder?” 

“Hit’s all over cloudy, mam ; ’spect hit’s gwinter 
snow, missis.” 

“Well, Silas, if it does snow we’ll not be able to get 
so much wood to-morrow,” said Ned; “but we have in 
plenty now, so let it snow !” 

“Fs gwinter let hit snow, mas’ Ned,” Silas replied, 
seating himself on a low stool close in the corner, and 
from a closet near at hand he drew forth a small bas- 
ket of cotton fleece and a pair of cotton cards, and 
began assiduously to card ; making the cotton into nice 
soft, white rolls for the morrow’s spinning. 

Phyllis, having finished the kitchen work, now came 
in, also ; for in this family, so few in number, all gath- 
ered at eventide around the bright, blazing fire. She 
walked with measured tread to the aforesaid closet 
and brought forth a basket of seed cotton, which she 
proceeded to scatter in little heaps along the hearth, at 
a safe distance from the fire, thus heating the seeds, 
which rendered them more easily removed from the 
lint ; for in those days this staple was ordinarily picked 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


5 


by hand, the only machine for the purpose being a 
small wooden roller gin worked by hand. She began 
deftly to pick cotton, a light task, indeed, in which 
Edwin and Kathryn joined, sprinkling each other now 
and then, playfully, with a handful of cotton seeds. 

“It seems, mother," said Kathryn, after a time, 
“that Mr. Barry is determined to put Cousin Ned in 
college after Christmas ; what shall we do when he is 
no longer with us ?" 

“Perhaps we can have dear Mrs. Edmonds come 
and remain with us and teach you music, as she did 
while we were yet in Williamsburg/' 

“Oh, mother, could we do that, it would be glori- 
ous !” exclaimed the impulsive Kathryn. “But could 
you afford it now, in our reduced state, and could dear 
Mrs. Edmonds exist here in this out-of-the-way 
place ?" 

“Darling, I will study over the matter. Oh, that I 
might place you in the good old Convent of St. Cath- 
rin’s, where my grandmother, my mother, and I my- 
self were educated! It would be a consummation of 
the hope of my life. But be that as it may, Mr. Barry 
wishes to keep Edwin in William and Mary until he 
graduates, if his means are adequate to that effect." 

“Yes, dear aunt; and when I am a great barrister 
you shall at least have your old home in Williamsburg 
again, or one as good, and you and Kathryn shall not 
be obliged to live in this out-of-the-way place — this 
obscure corner of the world," said Edwin proudly. 
“If the little my father left rne will carry me through 
college, I can then make a good living for you, who 
have had all the care of my childhood and are the best 
and dearest friend I have ever had since my father's 
death, having never known a mother's love but yours." 

“You have ever been a good boy, Edwin, and since 
your father brought you to me, a helpless infant, I have 
ever felt that you were a blessing to me. Your father 


6 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


and my husband, being twin brothers, loved each other 
very much. But, Edwin, instead of being a barrister, 
you should, in justice, sometime become a Scotch peer, 
your father, being the elder, was but four removes 
from the dignity of a Baron.” 

“Aye, Edwin,” chimed Kathryn, “ ‘a noble peer of 
muckle trust and power/ ” 

“They descended from an ancient Scotch family, 
the Hamiltons, earls of Arran. One of your ancestors 
many years ago married the only daughter of the 
mortal enemy of his father, the Earl of Bute, a Stuart, 
and related to the Hamiltons. He succeeded in es- 
caping with his bride from the Island of Arran, and, 
secreting himself in the southern part of Ayrshire, 
changed his name to Arranton to avoid detection by 
the enraged earls. Here he built himself a home, and 
was soon surrounded with every luxury. After his 
death one of his sons was knighted for his chivalry, 
and one of his sons was afterward made Baron of 
Montstuart and Strathdoon and awarded two fine es- 
tates ; but for some misdeed your great-grandfather, 
who had succeeded to the barony, was executed, and 
the title and estates have been held in abeyance for 
nearly a century. But you may, in time, my boy, be- 
come a baron,” Mrs. Arranton concluded compla- 
cently. 

“Indeed, my aunt, I shall not look forward to any- 
thing of that kind, but endeavor to hew out for myself 
a name of which we need not be ashamed,” Edwin re- 
turned nobly. 

“True, Edwin, your grandfather, General Arranton, 
was as noble a man as any peer of the Scotch realm, 
or British, either. And the happiest hours of my life, 
I do believe, were those spent in his home when you 
and Kathryn were about two years old. Your grand- 
mother was a glorious woman, and well knew how to 
manage a household.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


7 


“Dat’s so, li’le Missy ; dat’s jes’ so !” exclaimed Phyl- 
lis. “Missis ’longed to de quality; dat she did, chile.” 

“And how we enjoyed the trip to Scotland, when 
General Arranton went back to visit his brother after 
the death of their father !” continued she. 

“Will you not, dear aunt, tell us of that visit to Scot- 
land, and of Uncle Donald’s marriage?” asked Edwin. 

“When you both were about two years old my hus- 
band took us to General Arranton’s to remain some 
time, while he and his brother went to Paris on some 
diplomatic business. Your grandfather, General Ar- 
ranton, lived in grand style, on a great plantation 
where he employed many slaves, in a fine neighbor- 
hood near the city, where there was much social en- 
joyment; there were many delightful homes, with 
much old-fashioned culture. The brothers returned 
in a few months, having had a most satisfactory trip, 
from a business view. Then we had news from your 
Uncle Donald, stating that his father had died and he 
wished his brother, General Arranton, to come over 
and make his home with him at Arranton Castle, in 
Ayrshire, on the River Doon. General Arranton de- 
cided to go and take all of us along for a visit. In a 
short time we embarked, having disposed of everything 
and all the negroes but Aunt Phyllis and Silas, who 
were retained to care for you children on the voy- 
age. That was a great change for us. How we en- 
joyed the voyage! The approach to the castle was 
grand ; the scenery fine ; the castle imposing. Great 
mountains lay in the distance, forming a lovely back- 
ground for the magnificent structure, which bore in 
many places the cognizance of the Earls of Arran; 
the towers and turrets appeared to reach up into the 
dark clouds which overhung the whole. We had been 
there but a short time when Uncle Donald announced 
his intention of being married in about six weeks. 
Having never married, he was quite an old bachelor, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


8 

very ambitious, ever living in hopes of the restora- 
tion of the honors and estates to the family; he 
fully believed they would be restored, for a wandering 
astrologer had foretold it would be so in the eighteenth 
century. 

“Now, everything was to be gotten ready for the 
reception of the bride, who was the youngest daugh- 
ter of the Earl of Athole, and related — I think second 
cousin to Uncle Donald.” 

“How old was Uncle Donald, mother?” queried 
Kathryn. 

“Four-and-fifty ; Lady Elenor, his bride, was some- 
what younger, though we never knew how old she 
was. 

“Splendid preparations were commenced for the 
approaching nuptials ; messengers were sent hither 
and yonder, for we were to attend the grand wedding, 
which was to be solemnized at Blair Castle. Dress- 
makers were ordered in, Mother Arranton and I had 
elegant costumes made up in the latest French mode. 
Everything must be in readiness, also, for the recep- 
tion on our return. We set out in our private coach, 
drawn by eight large horses, with a great following 
of servants. Blair Castle was about one hundred 
miles distant, but we were undaunted at the prospect 
of the long journey in the country, for it promised us 
much pleasure. We spent the first night in grand old 
Glasgow; and passed next day through the historic 
city of Stirling. There our party was joined by a 
number of relations, starting, also, for Blair. After 
leaving the Perthshire lowlands the road became nar- 
row and ragged ; in some places there were great pre- 
cipices on either hand. We wended our way up the 
noted Killiecrankie Pass, where a few years previous 
had been fought that memorable battle where ‘the 
victors mourned and the vanquished rejoiced.' The 
lumbering coach was with difficulty dragged up the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


9 


deep and dark defile ; then we emerged into a beautiful 
glen, crossed a small river where were masses of gray 
crags, dark verdure and fantastic peaks. The waters 
murmured among the mossy stones and gurgled and 
glided over the smooth pebbles bathed in golden sun- 
light. Now for the first time we could see the tur- 
reted towers and battlements of old Blair Castle. On 
arriving, we were received with great courtesy by the 
inmates, and after two days’ rest from our long jour- 
ney the nuptial rites were celebrated in the great 
chapel. The bride stood at the altar in rich array; 
the silken sheen of her snowy robes, overspread with 
the soft tissues of the misty veil which flowed full 
length over the billowy folds of satin, glimmering in 
the bright lights ; diamonds sparkling amid the dark 
tresses, and pearls gleaming on her snowy neck.” 

“Oh, mother, was she not beautiful ?” eagerly asked 
Kathryn. 

“No, darling, she was not even pretty ; but looked 
somewhat regal in her magnificence. The bridegroom 
looked grand, but stiff and formal in his cold dignity. 
The great halls were filled to overflowing with the 
numerous relations — Hamiltons, Stuarts, Murrays, 
Arrans, and others. Then followed the great feast, 
where freely flowed the ruddy wine, the banquet com- 
paring "favorably with the almost regal splendor of 
the surroundings. There were gallant old warriors, 
who ersewhile had led their clans through many vic- 
torious battles, who laughed and talked loudly of other 
days, clanged their bowls, and grew merry over their 
sparkling wine. Gallant knights, whispering softly of 
love, led fair ladies through the mazy dance; the fair 
ones smiling, bowed, nodding their snowy plumes, 
while music from the minstrels’ gallery filled the vast 
hall with sweetest harmony. 

“We soon returned to Arranton Castle, accompa- 
nied by a large bridal party. Then, after enjoying a 


10 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

few months with Father and Mother Arranton, we 
proceeded to London, where my husband and his 
brother were assigned offices in the British Embassy, 
and went to Paris, where we lived in much happiness 
for a number of years, when your dear father died, 
Edwin, and my husband’s health failed ; then you both 
remember when we returned to America.” Mrs. Ar- 
ranton closed her narrative with a deep-drawn sigh. 

“Yes, dear aunt, we well remember when we came 
to America,” said Edwin. 

“And we lived in Williamsburg two such happy 
years ere we came to this place,” observed Kathryn. 

“Now, children, I think we should retire; Phyllis 
has finished her task of cotton, and Silas has a fine 
bank of snowy rolls for the morrow’s spinning,” sug- 
gested Mrs. Arranton. 

Next morning Silas was building a fire in the great 
fireplace in the kitchen, while Phyllis busied herself 
preparatory to getting breakfast. 

“Aunt Phyllis, you ’member dat place what lil’ 
Missy telled us about las nite?” Silas asked abruptly, 
“dat Kilumkranky pass?” 

“Humph, nigger! You spects I’s dun forgit bout 
dat already? I ’members all ’bout dat trip myself,” 
Phyllis replied, with much self-importance. 

“Phyllis, did yer see any gostes that time, hidin’ 
ahint dem big trees an’ dem rocks,” asked Silas. 

“No, I aint nebber see no gostes dar nor nowhars 
else !” 

“I ben nearly scared to def dat day goin’ up dat 
pass. Aunt Phyllis, you ’member dat skandlifferous 
Dougal MacCann, what went long of us fer to help 
me tak keer of all dem hosses?” 

“You ’spect I’s gwine ter forgit dat skoundril — dat 
little ole Skotch, what nearly plagued de life outen 
me, an’ you too, des kes we black folks? He called 
us naggers !” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


it 


“He say da’s lots uv Englishers killed in dat place, 
an’ he see der gostes apeepin’ frum ahint dem rocks 
an’ trees. I teclar, Aunt Phyllis, I been scart plum 
to def ridin’ long ahint wid dat Dougal. Dey just 
make us keep ahint all de res’, and every blessed minnit 
he’d holler out: ‘Look! Look out! See dar? Look 
ahint ye !’ I teclar I was nearly scart to def.” 

“Humph! You foolish nigger!” exclaimed Phyllis. 
“I wan’t scart. I nebber saw no sech gostes as dat 
villyan Dougal telled you ’bout ; fore de Lawd I wan’t 
scart — no, I never got scart, chile.” 

“I spect you nebber — a ridin’ in de kerriage away 
back ahint Mas’ General Arranton, an’ ole Missis, an’ 
liP Missy, an’ Mas’ Albert, an’ Mas’ William. I 
wouldn’t a been scart, neither, ef I’d been dar. Do you 
’spect dem gostes was a gwine ter trouble anybody 
whar Mas’ General Arranton was ? No, sir! He been 
soljer — he fite dem Inglishers some hisself — ’spect he 
killed whole passel of dem in dat dretful pass, rite 
dar whar we all was ” 

“Hush, nigger !” exclaimed Phyllis, throwing up her 
hands. “You doan hafter say not’ing ’bout dat ; hit’s 
a plum secret. I hern tell as how Mas’ General Arran- 
ton did fite dem Inglishers ober dare, den kummed 
away to dis country ter keep frum gittin’ kotched ; but 
doan you say ary word about hit. Now you better 
g’long an’ milk dat cow, and stop tellin’ your goste 
stories here. You know bery well I hain’t afraid ob 
gostes nohow, you coward !” 

Silas, with much trepidation, took up the pail and 
went forth into the dusk of the morning twilight. 
Phyllis stood awhile, glancing about ; then : 

“Dat nigger tellin’ ’bout gostes a-peepin’ frum ahint 
de rocks an’ things,” she murmured, “mity nigh gives 
a body de creeps.” With a wary and unquiet eye 
she glanced over her shoulder and about the dark 
corners of the room, for the fire was not yet burning 


12 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


very brightly, and the little iron lamp swinging from 
the chimney front failed to expel the inexorable 
shadows of the apartment. 

“Des makes a body feel sorter Ooh, ooh, oh, 

ki !” she cried, turning quickly, as she heard a slight 
noise behind her. “Ooh — um — um ! Honey, dat you? 
Sho nuf! I thought hit was you. Oh — oo — ” 

“Why, Aunt Phyllis ; did I frighten you ? What 
made you jump so?” asked Kathryn, as she approached 
the fire. 

“Frighten me, baby; no! You ’spect I’s gwine ter 
be frightened at you ? Purty thing ! What you up 
so early foh, baby?” 

“Mother rested badly last night, Phyllis, and I came 
to ask you to make her a nice cup of tea and some of 
your famous waffles, and cook her a soft egg, Phyllis ; 
you know you can just beat anybody making waffles.” 

Kathryn had learned that a little flattery went a 
long way with Phyllis. 

“Yes, Honey, chile, I lib’d in Parish long ’nuf to 
learn how ter cook, long of dem ‘chefs’ dey calls um 
in dat ’mbassy place. Honey, chile, what make yo' 
Ma feel so bad this mornin’?” 

“Why, you know, Phyllis, we were talking last night 
of those old and happy times when father was living, 
and before we had lost everything; the remembrance 
of past pleasures contrast so painfully with our present 
surroundings, Phyllis. We should not have asked her, 
but we so love to hear her tell of those old days,” 
returned Kathryn, meditatively. “I’ll go back now, 
Phyllis, and when I hear the little bell jingle I will 
come and take her breakfast to her on a tray.” 

It was a cold morning. Kathryn warmed her little 
slippered feet over the fire, drew her heavy wrapper 
about her plump form, then ran through the cold cor- 
ridor into the sitting-room, where a bright fire blazed 
on the hearth, and proceeded to dress herself. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


*3 


CHAPTER II. 

THE BARON OF WEIR WOLF. 

"The sun upon the Weirdlaw hill. 

In Ettric’s vale, is sinking sweet; 

The westland wind is harsh and still. 

The lake lies sleeping at my feet.” 

Toward the last of October, and about the same 
time of the occurrence referred to in the opening 
chapter, a young nobleman, with about twenty follow- 
ers, might have been seen wending his way up the 
beautiful valley of the Esk, in southern Scotland, 
which is known to include some of the finest farm- 
ing lands in Great Britain. 

The turreted towers and battlements of Weirwolf 
Castle now appeared to their view, in the distance. 
The mighty mass, having the appearance of a gloomy 
fortress, had been added to in different periods, as 
was shown by the variance in its architecture, the 
builders having regard more for durability than for 
beauty and symmetry. 

“Behold, Guy! ’Tis a fair sight,” said the young 
Baron of Weirwolf, as they rode on, taking in the 
lovely scene. “See the charming river, winding in 
and out, with the magnificent farmlands of Weirwolf 
lying along its sides.” 

“Beautiful, my Lord, as a poet's dream!” returned 
his companion ; “I fancy you have inherited a fine 
barony, even if it has an outlandish name.” 

“I visited my grandfather here once, at the age of 
ten, now near twelve years ago — the only time I was 
ever on the premises,” said the young Baron. “My 
grandfather was at that time a man of great wealth, 
and lived in princely style. I never afterward had the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


14 

pleasure to see him ; he died about six years ago, white 
I was yet in Oxford. I have never been here since, 
and never saw my late uncle, he being absent at the 
time of my visit. I have an aunt,” continued the young 
man, retrospectively ; “she was a lovely girl — fair as a 
lily, who, some fifteen years ago, married, against the 
will of her parents, a Lieutenant O’Neal of the army 
then stationed nearby, at Locherby, and was disin- 
herited. See, Guy, towering above all the rest a great 
square tower!” 

“Oh, aye, my Lord,” responded Guy; “methinks 
there should be a fine view from that tower.” 

“Inside there is a narrow stairway, which gives 
access to the parapet extending around the tower ; 
then you mount a broad platform, from which you 
may trace the symmetrical windings of the lovely Esk.” 

“ ‘Up to the highest battlement, from whence 
The Trojans threw their darts.’” 
quoted Guy. 

“Ah, Guy! When you shall mount to ’yon battle- 
ment your poetic soul will soar away in an ecstasy of 
delight,” returned his Lordship, as he now turned 
his attention toward a fine herd of contented cattle 
grazing along the river banks, some of the breed of 
the old Scottish cattle — milk white, with black muz- 
zles, horns and hoofs. 

“I suppose, my Lord, there is in the chase an abund- 
ance of game, and we will have no end of hunting,” 
observed Guy. 

“Aye, Guy, the copswood glens are peopled with 
deer, hart and hind — goodliest of all the forest — with 
pheasants, grouse and heathcock. You will not go 
amiss for game, I can assure you,” replied the youthful 
baron. As they were now approaching quite near, he 
continued: “Look up over the great Gothic entrance 
and observe ; there is sculptured in the stone a shield 
with the cognizance of my ancient ancestors. The 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


15 


only figure on the clear field of the shield is a long- 
haired, shaggy, snarling wolf, represented as skulking, 
half hidden amid the heather, his side invulnerated 
with a broken spear.” 

“Aye, a savage-looking beast, that! And this, my 
Lord, is the coat-of-arms which you are now to as- 
sume ?” 

“Aye ; it is incumbent on the heir of Weirwolf to 
bear the name and arms — but here we are, Guy, at the 
old drawbridge. I see no porter hereabout.” 

One of his lordship’s own men dismounted and 
opened the gate, which was not fastened, the country 
now being at peace. 

On entering, there was no one to be seen ; perfect 
quiet reigned, all inside wearing a dilapidated and neg- 
lected appearance. An old dog roused up and 
stretched himself, apparently too old or too indolent 
even to bark at the intruders. The young nobleman 
and his followers passed into the courtyard, and he, 
after glancing about, exclaimed to his companion : 

“Well, Guy, I am astonished ! What can this mean? 
Behold the dilapidation! The place looks as though 
it had been deserted half dozen years, at least.” 

Seeing no one, Lord Clifton said: “You are at 
home, men ; dismount and unload your sumpter mules 
and horses. Duncan,” he said, to his groom, “see to 
the horses. There should be a number of servants 
here — look about, Ambrose; see if there is any one 
around. There in the west wing you will find the 
servants’ quarters.” 

The door of the great entrance hall was thrown 
open; a gray old man made his appearance. Lord 
Clifton, entering, said: 

“Is not this old Caleb?” 

“Aye, aye, sir ; this ees Caleb. But wha ees this 
that cames e’en noo wi’ sic a mighty following?” the 
old man asked, with wide-eyed astonishment. 


i6 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


'‘Why, Caleb,” his Lordship said, grasping warmly 
the old man’s hand, “do you not remember little 
Robert Clifton, who was here ten years ago?” 

“Aye, thae wee laddie wha earned lang syne? Ah, 
sure, sure, me Laird !” cried old Caleb, arousing him- 
self to a degree of pleasure ; “Caleb will not be for- 
getting thae douce laddie.” 

Proceeding up the hall, the young man was soon 
met by a tall, slender lady of delicate build, plainly 
dressed. Her face was sweetly sad. A young girl, 
with saucy face, pouting lips and laughing eyes, stood 
behind her, representing the sole animation of the 
place, and appearing to be altogether out of place in 
her doleful surroundings. 

“The Baron of Weirwolf, I suppose?” said the lady, 
advancing to meet him with graceful movement, ex- 
tending her hand. 

“I — ah — Yes, madame, I believe so,” he returned, 
trying to pull himself together, “though I am almost 
dumfounded. Pray, whom have I the pleasure of 
addressing?” 

“I have the honor, my Lord, to be your lordship’s 
Aunt Mary, Mistress O’Neal.” 

“My dear Aunt Mary !” he exclaimed, in great sur- 
prise ; “how can so great a change have taken place?” 

“In me, my dear nephew, or in that you see about 
the place?” she asked. 

[ “Why, both,” he returned, and he pressed her hand 
' and saluted her on the cheek. “Though,” continued 
i he, “the last time I saw you you were a lovely young 
girl — a blooming bride.” 

Her face colored up a little at this remark, and she 
said to the girl : 

“Nora, offer Sir Robert Weirwolf a chair.” 

His lordship thought it a little strange she should 
offer him a seat in the hall, on a chair none too good 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 17 

for a servant, instead of asking him into a sitting- 
room or parlor. 

“Had I known of your presence here, dear aunt, I 
should have sent a messenger to apprise you of my 
coming. I ask your pardon for thus taking you 
by surprise,” he said, accepting the chair which Nora 
offered him; and Mrs. O’Neal seated herself opposite 
her nephew. “But my men, as well as myself, dear 
aunt,” he continued, “like to camp out and hunt, so 
we made it a party of pleasure, rather than a jour- 
ney of business, and have taken our leisure in mak- 
ing the trip from Fleetwood, being three days on the 
way, instead of making it in two. I owe you, dear 
aunt, a thousand apologies ; I never dreamed of meet- 
ing you here, and expected to find no one except a 
house full of the old family servants, and perhaps the 
Bailiff, but am more gratified than words can ex- 
press to find you, my dear aunt, whom I have not 
seen for years, occupying your ancestral home.” 

“Thank you, sir; thank you!” she said, then ex- 
claimed: “A house full of servants, indeed! You will 
find only two of the old servants here — Caleb, the 
old steward, and Elspeth, his wife, whom you doubt- 
less remember. And, my Lord, had you dispatched 
a message to apprise me of your coming all would 
be just as your lordship has found it, lamentable as 
it is. My late brother’s lawyer had informed me that 
I might expect you at any moment.” 

“Dear aunt, you astonish me — only two servants 
in the castle ! That, I suppose, accounts for the unkept 
appearance of things. Pray, where is Mr. Kitchner, 
the Bailiff?” 

“In the village, my lord ; in his own home. He has 
not resided here since the death of my brother, the 
late Baron of Weirwolf. You will find all things here, 
my Lord, just as I found them on my arrival, five 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


18 

years ago, save for the wear and tear of time, of 
course,” she returned, calmly. 

“Dear aunt, you astound me! Did my uncle live 
here amid such surroundings, without servants?” 

“Indeed he has lived here just in this manner since 
the death of my father, after which event he sent for 
me, whom he had not seen since my marriage, and 
placed me here as housekeeper, after sending away 
every servant save the two whom I have named.” 

“You as housekeeper! My dear aunt, what can 
it all mean ? It appears that my uncle must have been 
something of a recluse or hermit — a miser, if I may 
say so much of your brother.” 

“Ah, Clifton, he was your uncle. Should you say 
such things of your uncle?” she asked, naively. 

“True, dear aunt, he was my uncle; but people to 
be loved must be lovable. What could have been his 
object in living thus, without servants, allowing the 
place to fall into dilapidation. Can you explain?” 

“My Lord, whenever I spoke to him on the sub- 
ject, his invariable answer was, ‘We must retrench; 
we must economize !’ For a long time he appeared 
very unhappy, but after his last trip to Edinburgh 
he seemed to be much relieved, and assured me that 
in a short time all would be different ; but never re- 
vealed to me his secret. The last time — Nora, dear, 
go to the kitchen and stay with Elspeth until I ring 
for you.” 

Nora obeyed, reluctantly enough; she was enjoying 
something quite novel to her, their lives here had 
been so very quiet since the death of the Baron, six 
weeks before. 

“Who is the girl?” asked the Baron, as Nora dis- 
appeared through the far-off door leading to the din- 
ing-room, looking back as she went. 

“An orphan, daughter of Captain Shane, Lieuten- 
ant O’Neal’s Captain and friend ; they were killed 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


19 


on the battlefield, side by side,” she said, with a 
sigh. “Her mother and I were friends. She survived 
her husband only two weeks, and left the little Nora 
with me. Nora is now fourteen years old, and is the 
only companion or attendant I have had for the past 
five years — a dear, good child, altogether Irish.” 

“Please to resume your story, and pardon me for 
interrupting.” 

“Certainly, my Lord. The last time I was in Edin- 
burgh, two years since, for my brother did not take 
us with him last Christmas, as usual, but went alone, 
on horseback, I met one of my cousins whom I 
had not seen for years, and she told me the secret. 
Now, do you wish to hear it, my Lord? It will ex- 
plain to you his motive for the manner in which he 
has lived since the death of my father.” 

“Certainly, aunt, if you deem it proper that I 
should know it.” 

“My cousin told me that my brother was betrothed 
to her sister, Lady Esther Ellington, eldest daughter 
of Sir Edward Ellington, my mother’s brother — now 
thirty-two years old — just my age. She had never 
married, owing to a disappointment she met with at 
the age of seventeen — and thereon hangs a little story 
which I may some time relate to you. She is an 
heiress, having inherited from her maternal grand- 
mother fifty thousand pounds sterling, at that time 
considered a very fine legacy, indeed. She being a 
haughty, imperious, money-loving woman, promised 
my brother that when he could put up an equal amount 
in pounds sterling she would become his bride. What 
think you of that proposition, nephew?” 

“Dearest aunt, I would let no woman lead me in 
such a manner. I would marry no woman with a 
stipulation or moneyed consideration,” he said firmly. 

“Ah, perhaps you have never loved a woman, and 


20 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


know not yet what love will lead a man to do,” re- 
turned his aunt. 

“Aunt Mary, it is as you say: I have never loved 
a woman yet, at least not enough to become a miser 
for her sake. And should one ever make such over- 
tures to me, I will at once tell her to seek another 
mate. I believe in love, and if I should ever love a 
pure, sweet woman, that is enough for me. I would 
be willing to marry her without a dowry ; and if a 
noble woman should love me, I should expect her to 
marry me without bargain or stipulation. I shall never 
hire a girl to marry me. I do not want one who would 
not be content with just my pure and undivided love.” 

“Dear nephew, you are a man after my own heart. 
But, as I was saying: From that day to this he has 
hoarded up every cent he has received, save just a 
bare support, or subsistence.” 

“Dear aunt, my grandfather, at the time of my 
visit here, was thought to be a man of great wealth. 
He lived in almost regal splendor. How could he 
have become so reduced?” 

“My father, some years previous to his death, had 
become greatly involved financially. As one of the 
stockholders in the Scottish East India Company, he 
became excited by the enormous gains of the Indian 
trade and invested all of his available capital, be- 
sides much more of borrowed money, in this scheme. 
Owing to some maladministration somewhere, he lost 
all, and was left without income, save his annual 
rents, which should have been sufficient for his needs. 
Yet the loss affected him greatly, and he survived it 
only two years. It was just after father’s death that 
my brother, wishing to marry Cousin Esther, she 
promised conditionally. In order to accumulate the 
requisite amount as speedily as possible, he sold the 
splendid horses, dismissed the servants, and allowed 
the place, for want of attention, to fall into a dilapi- 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 2i 

dated state, as you see. Besides, the tenants’ houses 
are all in need of repair. And here I have lived 
for five years, under the darksome shadows of the 
towers, hemmed in by grim battlement and fosse, with 
only a glimpse of social life about once a year, when 
we would visit relatives in Edinburgh for a fort- 
night, usually at Christmas-tide.” 

“Dear aunt, why did you remain with him, under 
such trying circumstances?” 

“When Lieutenant O’Neal was slain, I was left 
penniless, with my boy, Rorey, and Captain Shane’s 
baby, Nora, having been disinherited for marrying 
him. I assure you I have suffered for marrying 
hastily and in opposition to the wishes of my parents, 
as I believe all must suffer for disobedience ; not that 
Lieutenant O’Neal was at all to blame, for he was a 
perfect gentleman, and did all in his power to make 
me happy. His family had been reduced from great 
affluence to poverty by the relentless hand of war, 
and he had nothing but his salary as officer in the 
army. I could have found a home among my wealthy 
relatives, but this did not suit one of my independent 
spirit, and when my brother sent for me to come 
back to the old home I was too glad to accept his 
invitation, and felt, to serve as housekeeper in the 
dear old home, whence I had long been banished, 
would be preferable to living among my relations as a 
pensioner on their bounty. I was never a devotee 
to social pleasures, and for many years my heart 
had been, as it were, dead to all social life,” she said, 
with a deep-drawn sigh, while a roseate glow over- 
spread her wax-like face, and continued : “I had an 
intimation that my brother would be married about 
next Christmas-tide; for on his return from Edin- 
burgh he appeared much happier than usual, and said : 
‘The lease money now due on the city house will be 
brought in at Martinmas, and that, with the rental 


22 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


of the back-going, mismanaging, dog-whelf tenants, 
put over at Whitsunday, also due at Martinmas, will 
enable me to put everything in good shape. Til have 
the old castle renovated and filled with servants by 
the first of December, and the place will present a 
different aspect/ Then, poor man, not to live to 
reap the fruition, after all his self-denial.” She rang 
for Nora; then continued: “If it had not been for his 
self-denial, I might have thought, and sometimes did 
think, that he wished to punish me for my marriage, 
for he had been incensed and had taken it very much 
to heart ; but he denied himself every pleasure, save 
that of visiting Esther.” Here Nora reappeared, and 
Mrs. O’Neal said: 

“Nora, look in the little desk in my room and 
bring the key you will find there.” 

“Where is your boy now — Rorey, I think you called 
him — Aunt Mary?” 

“Yes, Roderic is his name ; he goes over to recite 
a few lessons in the evening to Mr. Browning, the 
rector, since my brother’s death.” 

Nora brought the key, as requested, which Mrs. 
O’Neal handed to the young man. 

“Now, my Lord, unlock the door at the right of the 
drawing-room ; it was his room. That, with the library, 
my own and the servants’ rooms, are all the apart- 
ments I have had access to since I have been here, and 
if it had not been for the liberty of using the library, 
I do not see how I could have existed these five years. 
There, my Lord, you will find the bunch of keys, 
which has not been touched since his death, and hangs 
just as he left it.” 

Lord Clifton took the key and, unlocking the door, 
stood on the threshold, gazing about the poorly fur- 
nished room — the comfortless bare floor, the old 
straight-backed chairs, an old settee, an uncovered 
desk. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 23 

“Why, this is the secretary’s room, Aunt Mary,” 
he said. 

“Yes, my Lord, he was his own secretary.” 

“I must have this nicely fitted up for Guy Brignol, 
my secretary,” musingly. 

“Wait, my nephew ; do not hasten to put any one 
in this room, but first let me tell you of a secret door 
there is here somewhere,” she said, feeling along the 
wall opposite the door by which they had entered. 
“I see nothing here resembling a door, my Lord, yet 
there is one here.” 

“Why do you think so, aunt?” he enquired. 

“Let us sit here a moment, my Lord, on this old 
settee, while I shall tell you what I have seen. Nora, 
sit here, child, on this chair, and keep quiet. I am 
quite devoted to literature, my Lord, and the Father 
of us all only knows what I should have done if my 
brother had locked me out from the library, as he 
did all the other apartments, and one evening I sat up 
late, reading. Turning, I discovered a bright light 
emanated from the transom over the door of my 
brother’s room — this room, here. Following the light 
with my eye, I saw him standing in a doorway just 
opposite — where I had never suspected there was a 
door. I stood looking ; not, I am sure, from any 
undue curiosity, but with astonishment, I suppose. 
Then he disappeared, not going on through, but down, 
down, until lost to sight. In his left hand he carried 
a rushlight, holding it high overhead, and in his 
right hand he carried, it seemed to me, a heavy weight 
in a bag. It being the twenty-fifth of March, called 
Lady Day, quite a number of his tenants had been in 
to settle quarter dues ; and I have every reason to 
believe he was going to store away his money. But 
where the door is, I cannot imagine.” 

Lord Clifton rose and went over, saying: 

“Let us examine the wall, aunt.” 


24 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

She followed, and, placing her hand on the wall 
opposite the door, said: “It was just here I saw him 
pass through.” 

Examining the panel, they discovered a bit of paper 
pasted on one edge. 

Tearing this away, Lord Clifton found a keyhole. 
Searching among the keys, he found one of peculiar 
shape. Inserting this, he gave it a turn, then shov- 
ing the panel, it swung open, revealing a dark space. 
They then perceived stone steps leading down. 

“There is no doubt, Aunt Mary, that he concealed 
his moneys in a vault below, but we will close the 
door for the present, and after awhile we, with Rorey 
and Nora, will go down and explore the vault. Would 
not you like to go, Nora?” he asked, kindly. 

“Oh, yes indeed, my Lord ; I should very much like 
to go.” 

“I thought so,” he returned. “Now, Aunt Mary, 
come with me and we will open up some of the other 
rooms.” Unlocking the door to his right, leading 
to the large and beautiful drawing-room, they found 
every piece of furniture well and carefully covered. 
Pulling the covering from several pieces, his lord- 
ship found magnificent furniture of the richest ma- 
terial and finest make. 

Then the young Baron of Weirwolf went down the 
great hall, to the door by which he had entered, and 
called : 

“Louis, bring two servants and follow me; and 
bring some fuel and build a fire in the grate; it is 
growing colder, and we will want a good fire to drive 
out the musty smell of this long-closed room.” He 
looked into the library, which was found comme il 
faut, then passed on to the opposite side of the great 
hall, and opening the door just at the foot of the 
stairway, disclosed an elegant suite of rooms, beauti- 
fully hung with crimson velvet, fringed with gold. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


25 


The first apartment was fitted up as a sitting-room; 
then there was a bedroom, sumptuously furnished ; the 
third was a dressing-room, in fine style, having a fire- 
place with grate. 

“Ambrose/’ said the young baron to his attendant, 
“take charge of this suite of apartments at once. Open 
windows and doors ; give them thorough ventilation ; 
build a fire, and have it ready for my immediate use. 
Louis, please send Andrew Long after us.” And, 
turning to his aunt, he led her up the broad stairway, 
Nora following behind like a shadow. Reaching the 
corridor, he found a number of closed doors on either 
side, and began to unlock and throw them open, dis- 
closing elegant suites, the furniture, as in the other 
rooms, all covered. 

“Andrew, go to work here and uncover all this fur- 
niture, open doors and windows, and let the air cir- 
culate through the old building,” said his lordship. 
“Now, Aunt Mary, I wish you to select the nicest 
suite of apartments here for your own use, and one 
for Nora, and never go back to the housekeeper’s 
rooms again, for you are now to be mistress of this 
castle, if you will ; and to-morrow I will have every 
servant’s office filled, from turret to basement.” 

“Oh, my Lord, I cannot express my gratitude for 
your kindness. I did not know but that on the com- 
ing of the new lord I should be forced to go out and 
seek a new home somewhere,” returned she, feelingly. 

“No, my dearest aunt; no! You, so like my own 
dear mother, so far as I can remember, shall never 
while I live seek another home. In my grandfather’s 
day this was a princely home, and shall be so again. 
And I know that you, dear aunt, were the princess 
of this castle for a number of years previous to your 
marriage, and now you are to be queen of this little 
realm.” 

She gave his hand a gentle pressure and raised li 


26 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


to her lips. Then, wiping the tears from her eyes, 
she turned to a suite on the left, being the first on 
the front part of the building, the windows looking out 
on the main road leading to the castle, with a lovely 
Italian portico reaching out from the front end of the 
corridor, a great French window opening onto it. 
“My Lord,” she said, with deep emotion, “in my girl- 
hood these rooms were mine. How happy I should be 
to be permitted to call them mine once more.” 

“They are your very own, dear aunt,” he said. 
“Andrew !” he called, “leave to the boys that work, 
and come here yourself and put this suite of rooms 
in order for immediate use”; then to Mrs. O’Neal: 
“My dear aunt, this was your father’s house, and I 
do most sincerely wish that, instead of leaving it to 
me, my uncle had left everything to yourself and 
your son.” 

“No, no, my Lord ; that could not be. It is entailed, 
and you are the heir of entail,” she said, tremulously. 

“Andrew,” said his lordship, “when you have done 
here, you can go down. You men can house your- 
selves in the west wing to-night, and do your own 
cooking; there are no cooks here yet. Now aunt, 
we will go down and sit by the fire ; you must rest. 
Are you not tired tramping after me?” 

“Oh, not at all, my Lord ; at least, I have been so 
excited as not to notice that I am.” 

Drawing her hand within his arm, he led her down 
the broad stairway, as if she had been a queen, closely 
followed by Nora. As they neared the foot of the 
stairway a bright-looking boy entered at the front 
door, just opposite them, with some books in his 
arms. He paused, in utter astonishment, on seeing 
his mother descending, leaning on the arm of a tall, 
gallant-looking knight. His surprise was soon turned 
into joy, for Mrs. O’Neal introduced him to Sir Robert 
Clifton, Baron of Weirwolf, whom he knew to be 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


27 


his own cousin. Clifton, too, was much pleased with 
Rorey O’Neal’s bright, intelligent face, his fine eyes 
beaming with intelligence and good nature ; and, 
though poorly clad, he showed his good breeding, for 
he had been well and carefully trained and taught by 
his mother, having had no other instruction until since 
the death of his uncle. Previous to that event he had 
been just a hack about the place. Conducting his aunt 
to the drawing-room, Clifton seated her in a superb 
chair near the fire. 

“My Lord,” said she, “I will have Elspeth prepare 
dinner for us in the large dining-room, so, if there 
are any of your attendants whom you would like to 
have dine with us, I should be pleased to have you 
invite them.” 

“Thank you, Aunt Mary ; it would please me well 
to have Guy Brignol, my secretary, who is a special 
friend, and Louis Kearney, my master of horse, who 
has been with me many years — the son of a gentleman 
who was an old cavalier, and who rendered much good 
service to his country. Though, dear aunt, they would 
do well enough with the men, rather than trouble or 
embarrass you, for I assure you they are used to the 
camp.” 

“No, no, my Lord; I assure you it will be no 
trouble!” she returned. “I suspect there is some fine 
old wine in the cellar, and if you will give Rorey 
the key he can go himself and rummage out a few 
bottles.” 

“Dear aunt, you are now mistress of the castle, and 
must keep the keys,” he said, handing her the great 
bunch. “You may wish to open the china cupboard 
or the silver beaufet for plate and glass.” 

Rorey took the keys and started for the cellar. 

“No, aunt,” his lordship continued, “I could not 
get on without either of my friends. Louis has been 
with me as a constant companion since I left the uni- 


28 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


versity, and both traveled the Continent with me. 
They are good fellows, and both poetic, aunt, and 
quote Shakespeare on every hand. As for Guy, his 
father was an actor, and the boy was brought up 

around the footlights of a theatre Excuse me, aunt, 

r I will send Bangs, my butler, to Rorey’s assistance,” 
he said, rising, '‘and when they have gotten the wine 
Bangs can take charge of the dining-room for you.” 
And he went out to the west wing of the building, 
where the boys were engaged in making themselves 
comfortable for the night around a cheerful fire in 
the servants’ hall. 

Availing herself of the opportunity, Mrs. O’Neal 
sent Nora to the kitchen for Elspeth, while she rested 
herself by the cheerful fire. Anon Elspeth came hob- 
bling in, an old, gray, careworn creature. Mrs. O’Neal 
told her of her nephew’s arrival, and of the change 
that was to take place in their manner of living, and 
requested of her the very best dinner possible, under 
the circumstances, for six — “My Lord, his two friends 
and ourselves. Nora and I will come in and prepare 
the table in the great dining-room, Elspeth, that has 
for so long been closed. Caleb may assist you, for 
his services will not be required elsewhere. My Lord’s 
men will provide for themselves. And, Elspeth, have 
everything in the very best style, and remember that 
from this time we will live under a new regime — all 
will be under a new management — and there will be 
no further need for such strict economy. Use with a 
liberal hand what there is in the keep, for more will 
be provided.” 

Old Elspeth stood gazing with admiration around 
in the sumptuous room, into which she had not looked 
for five years, then said: “The douce laddie bring it 
some fine patriches wi’ him in frae his trappie ae bit 
while syne ; I will be roasting thim fo’ me Laird.” 

“Yes, Elspie,” said Mrs. O’Neal, “and I know that 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


29 


you have some fine fat pullets and plenty of eggs; 
surely you will be able to get up something quite nice 
for his lordship and his friends !” 

“Ah, sure enoch ! I will be killing some o’ me fine 
pullies,” said the old cook, becoming interested in 
the prospective meal. She was an excellent cook, and 
was only too glad once more to have the liberty of 
exercising her ability, and proceeded at once to do 
her utmost to please the new Laird. She also was 
anxious to please Mrs. O’Neal, whom she loved very 
much, having been one of the family servants when 
Mary was a girl. 

Then Mrs. O’Neal, with Nora following, went to 
the apartments adjoining the great dining-room, the 
housekeeper’s rooms, which she had so long occupied, 
and, gathering up such of her wearing apparel and 
accessories of the toilet as she might need for the even- 
ing, she had Nora carry them up the back stairs to 
the beautiful suite of rooms at the right of the little 
front portico, where Andrew, in anticipation of her 
coming, had already arranged the dressing-room and 
had a little fire built on the clean hearth. She sent 
him down with Nora to fetch up some clean bed linen 
and other articles that might be required, which she 
had laid out for them, and had her bedroom put in 
order, while she stood before a beautiful chevel-glass 
and arranged her own hair, all the while explaining to 
Nora that this article and that had been her own when 
a young girl. 

Nora, who seemed to be equal to all manner of 
service, darted hither and yonder, assisting her bene- 
factress with her toilet in every way possible. 

Mrs. O’Neal was a perfect blond, showing her Saxon 
descent, with wax-like complexion, a pretty mouth, 
lips rounded and of a vermilion hue, teeth white, regu- 
lar and shining like pearls ; in her bearing she was 
modest and gentle of motion. Now, excitement had 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


30 

lent to her erstwhile pale face a roseate glow, and 
when Nora had smoothed down the graceful folds of 
her heavy black silk pelisse, the bodice of which was 
trimmed with rich, soft laces, she was not only a 
superb-looking lady, but was really beautiful. She 
explained to Nora that the magnificent dress was the 
very last that Lieutenant O’Neal had presented to her 
before his death, and that, on account of going into 
mourning, she had been obliged to lay it away for so 
long a time that perhaps it might now appear some- 
what unfashionable. 

“Now, Aunt Mary,” said Nora, fingering the jewel 
casket, “shall I not take out the diamond brooch and 
the pearl necklace? How lovely they will look with 
the glistening black silk!” 

“No, Nora; I shall not use them this evening; this 
little knot of white satin ribbon will be quite suffi- 
cient and more appropriate for this occasion. Now go, 
dear, and dress yourself. I will see Rorey and have 
him don his best apparel. I desire that he should 
make a good impression on his noble cousin, the 
Baron of Weirwolf.” 

Nora, bright and vivacious, appearing to glory in 
the change which had come about, tripped upstairs 
and down with alacrity, fetching such articles as she 
might require ; then shook out the bedding and ar- 
ranged the bed in her own pretty room adjoining that 
of Mrs. O’Neal. 

After dressing, they went down to the dining-room 
to see that everything there was properly arranged 
for dinner. Mrs. O’Neal unlocked an elaborate silver 
buffet and a china closet, and she and Nora them- 
selves laid the table, while old Elspeth, with the assist- 
ance of her “gude mon,” Caleb Roundhead, prepared 
and served up an excellent dinner. 

On returning to the drawing-room, Mrs. O’Neal 
met his lordship’s two friends, who were duly pre- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


3i 


sented. She found Louis a fine specimen of man- 
hood, with regular features ; his dark locks lay on his 
broad shoulders in a mass of fine curls, according to 
the fashion of the day. Guy was spare made, and not 
so tall as either the fine-looking young baron or Louis, 
with fair hair and blue eyes. Both were faultlessly 
attired in anticipation of meeting his lordship's aunt, 
Mrs. O’Neal. 

“Dear aunt,” the baron said, after the ceremony of 
introduction was over, “these are my friends as well 
as the directors of my affairs.” Louis’ attendance on 
the baron as esquire was far from implying anything 
degrading, but was considered as the regular school 
for acquiring every quality necessary for future dis- 
tinction. And Guy was his secretary and a friend of 
long standing. 

The dinner at Weirwolf was greatly enjoyed by the 
young baron and his two friends. The delicious viands 
placed before them were appetizing, for in addition to 
the partridges and broiled chickens there were fresh 
fish and an incomparable veal pastry with thick gravy, 
rich and brown ; and there was cheese and ale ; and 
the old wine was superb. Yet, had the fare been less 
inviting, it might not have been noticed, for Mrs. 
O’Neal, like a certain gifted French Lady of the old 
regime who was noted equally for her skill in making 
a certain fine pudding and for her ability as raconteur, 
entertained her guests so well with glowing descrip- 
tions of past splendors of Weirwolf that but little 
attention was bestowed on the fine repast. 

“The magnificent display here, my Lord, in the days 
of my childhood, when my father, Sir Deorwyn 
Wynnewood — Deorwyn, my Lord, is a Saxon name 
and signifies “dear one” — when he, I say, kept the old 
castle in almost regal splendor, was not even to be 
compared with the splendors of his city residence on 
Southampton Square in London, where he spent most 


32 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


of his time. The lofty front is richly adorned ; at the 
entrance are beautifully carved pillars and canopies ; 
the floors are tasselated after the French fashion; the 
superb banqueting-room is wainscoted with cedar and 
beautifully decorated with belligerent gods and giants 
in fresco. And at the sumptuous tables guests of high 
rank and fashion were seen quite often. Some of the 
apartments were finely sculptured with armorial bear- 
ings, fruits and flowers, and hung with emblazoned 
satin; and thousands of pounds were spent on the 
rich furniture of the sumptuous drawing-rooms. This 
city residence, my Lord, you will find, I think, in a 
good state of repair ; for, although it has been in lease 
for a number of years, I know how well and carefully 
my brother had it looked after. 

"‘The royal old coach, my Lord, so much admired by 
all, which your lordship will find in the coach-house 
nearly as good as ever, was a present to Sir Doerwyn 
from the King, and ever afterward composed part of 
his state; for they had been the warmest friends, my 
father and King William, for twice had Sir Doerwyn 
saved the life of the King. 

“My Lord, I will give you a history of the gilded 
coach, or the old royal coach, as it is called, which my 
brother, the late Baron of Weirwolf, retained as an 
heirloom. Some years ago, when I was an infant, my 
father, Sir Doerwyn Wynnewood, who was an espe- 
cial favorite in the court circle, followed King William 
to Ireland as an officer in the Life Guards, and during 
this campaign Sir Doerwyn twice saved the life of 
His Majesty. On the morning before the Battle of 
Boyn the King, with a number of his officers, rode 
along the banks of the river, examining the position 
of the enemy, lying at a little distance away on the 
opposite side of the river. Dismounting, they had 
their breakfast spread on the grass, and while enjoying 
their repast some men rode down to the river on the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


33 

other side who, recognizing the King, straightway and 
secretly had two field-pieces placed behind a hedge; 
and, just as the King was in the act of remounting 
after the repast, a shot rang out from one of the se- 
creted field-pieces, and struck a horse just beside the 
King. Sir Doerwyn, seeing the great danger to which 
His Majesty was exposed, seized his bridle and, turn- 
ing him suddenly, just as a second report was heard, 
saved him. The ball whizzed by, just grazing the 
King’s shoulder, tore his coat, and spilled a few ounces 
of blood, and but for the timely interference of Sir 
Doerwyn, his life would have been lost. The King, 
for a little while dazed, presently said: ‘There is no 
harm done, but the bullet came quite near enough.’ 
And to Sir Doerwyn he said : ‘My friend, you have 
saved my life.’ Next day, in the very beginning of 
the battle, Sir Neal O’Neal, my husband’s father, in 
command of a regiment of dragoons on the Irish side, 
received a mortal wound. On this day the King, was 
seen wherever danger was greatest. He dashed into 
battle with sword in his left hand, for his right arm 
was stiff from the wound he had received the day be- 
fore; a bullet struck his pistol, another tore off the 
heel of his boot, yet he was unharmed. His friends 
in vain begged of him to retire to a place of safety, 
where his life would not be so exposed. That night 
they slept under the open sky at Dunleek, their tents 
and wagons having been left on the other side of the 
river. The King slept in his coach, this same old 
royal coach. And afterward, on their way to Water- 
ford to embark for England, the Life Guard ran into 
an ambush of Rapparees, under Balberg O’Donnell 
On finding the King in great peril, my father rushed 
to his assistance, and in the act of defending him re- 
ceived a serious wound, at the time thought to be 
mortal. After reaching London, and not being able 
to travel on horseback, my father was placed in the 


34 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


royal coach, which King William begged him to ac- 
cept, with the six splendid horses, as a token of his 
appreciation of the gallantry of Sir Doerwyn in twice 
saving his life. I can remember quite well when my 
father returned home in the splendid coach — in those 
days none but the very rich traveled in their own 
coaches. Sir Doerwyn owned a coach, but nothing so 
elegant as the gilded coach, with its carved timbers, 
velvet cushions and pink satin linings, with prancing 
steeds bobbing their heads, all plumed, the silver 
mountings gleaming in the sunlight.” 

Mrs. O’Neal rose and, with a curtsey, said: “My 
Lord, I will now leave you and your friends to your 
wine. Come, Nora.*’ 

The men rose and bowed courteously, while Louis 
held the door open for them to pass out, saying : 

“Truly Mistress O’Neal, we are not averse to a ‘wee 
drap’ after dinner.” 

“Come, Rorey, lad ; bring hither a couple of rush- 
lights or lamps, and we will explore the subterraneous 
depths beneath your late uncle’s private room and try 
to ascertain whether he has left us a legacy in cold 
cash.” 

The men had all repaired to their quarters for the 
night. 

Rorey, leaving the room, soon returned with two 
small lamps. The baron unlocked the secret door, and, 
holding high the winkling lamps, they peered down 
into the yawning darkness. 

“Come, aunt,” said his lordship, “I will lead you 
down this narrow stairway.” Thus they led the way, 
the boy and girl following. At the foot of the stairs 
they came to a flagged flooring of a long passage, 
with stone walls. At the end of this passage was a 
door securely locked. A ponderous key was selected 
from the bunch and found to fit the immense lock ; the 
huge bolt rolled back; the heavy iron door, creaking 


EARL OF FEETWOOD 


35 


on its hinges, swung slowly open. Lord Clifton stood 
a while, holding high his lamp, while the rays of light 
penetrated to the farthest corners of the vault, which 
had evidently been a prison in bygone days. Here, 
also, were altars, as if it had been a place of worship, 
too, and various specimens of Roman pottery, a figure 
of Mercury, and a mutilated statue of Hercules. In 
the farther end they descried two great iron-bound 
chests or coffers. 

After looking about and finding nothing more of 
importance, they proceeded to the larger of the coffers. 
The baron handed Nora his lamp, saying: 

“Nora, you and Rorey can hold the lights while I 
unlock this coffer.” 

Adjusting the key, he soon raised the heavy lid. 
All cried out on beholding the gleaming contents. The 
chest was filled with silver and silver-gilt services, and 
rare table ornaments of pure gold. And there were 
many pieces of sterling silver of great antiquity, and 
much splendid silver plate. 

“Oh, my Lord,” cried Mrs. O’Neal, “these are the 
splendid table services used in the sumptuous banquet- 
ing room in Southampton Square when Sir Doerwyn 
1 resided in London ! My brother, doubtless, had them 
removed hither on leaving the mansion.” 

“Yes, dear aunt, beyond a doubt,” he rejoined. “And 
here are caskets containing the family jewels,” con- 
tinued he, going to the depths of the coffer. 

On opening these, how the jewels flashed and scin- 
tillated ! And here was a coronet of a baron’s degree, 
having six pearls set in equal distances on the chaplet. 

“Yes,” said Mrs. O’Neal ; as a Baron of the United 
Kingdom, my brother had a seat in the House of 
Lords.” 

“Here, aunt, is a large brooch or clasp, used for se- 
curing the plaid or mantle.” 

“Why, my Lord, almost as large as a platter ! Could 


36 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


it, indeed, have been used in such a way? Only see 
with what exquisite and curious designs it is en- 
graved,” she exclaimed, “and decorated with most 
valuable stones !” 

Clifton now drew from a casket a long, heavy gold 
chain with a cross attached of heavy wrought gold, 
scintillating with rubies. 

“Oh, Rorey, boy,” cried Mrs. O’Neal, “here is your 
own chain which we both thought lost or stolen ! Oh, 
my Lord, this chain, or Eudorchawg, as it was called 
in Ireland, was placed upon the neck of Lieutenant 
O’Neal after some battle, as a badge of distinction, 
when he was only a lad, by an Irish nobleman; he 
having done some valuable service that day, it was 
awarded him for his valor.” 

“Rorey,” said Sir Robert Clifton, placing the Eu- 
dorchawg upon the neck of the delighted boy, “as a 
noble son of a noble sire I place this Eudorchawg on 
your neck, and from this hour you are my page.” 

“I thank you, my Lord, for this great honor,” re- 
turned Rorey smilingly. 

Searching further, Clifton selected from a number 
of relics a small, dainty gold ring set with an emerald 
of much beauty, and, placing it on Nora’s hand, he 
said: 

“Nora, will you wear this small ring as a token of 
our friendship?” 

“Oh, yes, my Lord ; I thank you much — for your 
friendship, and for the beautiful ring, also !” she cried, 
with beaming face. 

After replacing the pieces they had taken out, the 
baron locked the chest, then proceeded to unlock the 
other. In this the first thing that met his sight was 
the old rental book with great brass clasps. Beneath 
this were piles of gold pieces and silver — sovereigns, 
guineas, crowns ; nothing but coins — coins of various 
kinds and of different valuations. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


37 


Now Clifton took up the old rental book and, throw- 
ing back the clasps, began to turn over the musty 
pages. Soon he came to the page of the last entry; 
and, while his young page held the light close, the 
Baron of Weirwolf read an estimate of the full 
amount of gold and silver contained in the chest. 
There was written out in full: “Fifty Thousand 
Pounds Sterling,” and beneath were these words : “At 
last ! At last ! The struggle is ended, and now for 
happiness !” 

“He might have written ‘Alas ! Alas !’ in apprehen- 
sion of his evil destiny,” commented Sir Robert Clifton. 

“Oh, my poor brother,” cried Mrs. O’Neal; “how 
he labored and saved! But the relentless hand of 
death has robbed him of all.” And she wept at the 
thought of how he had vainly struggled so many years. 

“Dear Aunt Mary, it does seem hard when we 
think how suddenly he was snatched away. But do 
not let it grieve you so. This reminds me of the par- 
able in Scripture of a certain rich man, who said to 
himself : ‘Thou hast much goods laid up ; take thine 
ease.’ But God said unto him : ‘Thou fool, this night 
thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall 
these things be ?’ ” 

<JL Tv 

CHAPTER III. 

THE HEIRESS. 

“November’s sky is dark and drear, 

November’s sky is red and sear; 

Late, gazing down the steepy linn 
That hems our little garden in, 

Low in the dark and narrow glen, 

You scarce the rivulet might ken, 

So thick the tangled greenwood grew, 

So feeble trilled the streamlet through.” 

The very day on which the reader is introduced to 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


38 

Mrs. Arranton and her family, in the parlor of a 
handsome residence in the city of Williamsburg, the 
Colonial Capital, two gentlemen sat engaged in close 
conversation. The elder of the two was something 
over sixty — a genial, whole-souled man, with gray 
locks brushed smoothly back from his brow ; merry, 
twinkling eyes and rosy cheeks, as if in the best of 
health. The other, apparently about thirty, sat oppo- 
site in a straight-backed chair of ancient pattern ; he 
was tall and slender, with soft brown eyes. His chest- 
nut hair fell in loose curls from the very top of his 
head, down over his shoulders, and he was exceedingly 
genteel in appearance. This was Barry Crowning- 
shield, chief secretary and confidential agent of the 
Earl of Fleetwood, Cumberland, England. The other, 
Mr. Barry, Barrister of Williamsburg. 

“And so, Mr. Crowningshield, you received the in- 
formation I sent you in regard to Mrs. Arranton ?” 
queried Mr. Barry, in an animated tone of voice. 

“Yes, sir; and glad we are, indeed, to receive the 
cheering news ; for four years and over we have 
searched for this Mrs. Arranton without avail/' he 
replied, in a deep, rich voice; “and had just got on 
track of the Arrantons in Paris, where they lived for 
a number of years, when I heard from you." 

“Yes, her husband was a member of the British 
Embassy, until his health was broken ; so, resigning his 
office, after the death of his brother, he came to this 
country; and, after mature deliberation, decided to 
settle down and build up by degrees a good plantation, 
thinking his health might be better here. In view of 
this, he bought a small place in the country, near a 
fast-growing town, expecting to add to it little at a 
time, as he was able; but he soon died, leaving his 
family rather poorly provided for. Having always 
lived on a salary, they had nothing left but the little 
home, and there they have lived since his death, on a 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


39 


small income, with only two faithful old family serv- 
ants. And now — oh, how rejoiced I am! I have 
heard her tell something of her mother’s life ; enough 
to justify me, on seeing your advertisement, in the 
information I sent you.” 

'‘And she has told you that she is the great-grand- 
daughter of the old Earl of Fleetwood, and grand- 
daughter of the late Lady Hawren; that her mother. 
Lady Mary Hawren, married Lieutenant Auguste Vic- 
tor Dubois-Raymond?” 

“Yes, sir, that is the way I have understood it; and 
Lady Mary, her mother, was disinherited on her mar- 
riage with Lieutenant Dubois-Raymond, and never 
more heard from the Baroness, her mother,” replied 
Mr. Barry, with intense interest. 

“And, Mr. Crowningshield, do you say that her 
mother repented on her deathbed?” 

“Yes ; after her two sons were killed in battle, and 
she had no one to leave as her heir, she began to cast 
about for her daughter, Lady Mary, or some of her 
offspring.” 

“I am delighted, sir ; delighted !” exclaimed good 
Mr. Barry, rubbing his hands with great satisfaction. 
“Oh, sir, she is a most estimable lady ; and this will 
be good-fortune for her, poor, broken-hearted child! 
She grieved so at not being able to finish her daugh- 
ter’s education in Paris. She is a magnificent girl. 
And the boy, her husband’s nephew, is a fine fellow, 
who has lived with her since about one year old. 
There was very little left him at his father’s death. 
He was left in my care, and I expect to place him in 
William and Mary College as soon as the holidays are 
over. And to-morrow morning, early, Mr. Crowning- 
shield, if you please, sir, we will set out to see and 
break the news to dear Mrs. Arranton.” 

“Lady Hawren, sir; she is Lady Hawren, beyond 
a doubt !” 


40 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Aha ! Lady Hawren ; how nice and appropriate Y* 
returned Mr. Barry. 

A servant came to the door, and announced : 

“Dinner is ready, Massy John.” 

At this juncture two elegantly dressed ladies en- 
tered the room. Mr. Barry rose and said : 

“Now, Mr. Crowningshield, I take pleasure in pre- 
senting you to my wife, Mrs. Barry ; then, turning to 
the younger lady, he said : “And this is my niece, Mrs. 
Edmonds, Mr. Crowningshield.” 

“I have great pleasure, ladies, in making your ac- 
quaintance, I assure you,” said he, “as this is my first 
visit to America, and you are the very first American 
ladies I have met.” 

“Thank you, sir”— and the ladies curtsied low — “we 
are glad to be first to welcome you to our shore.” And 
Mrs. Barry took her husband’s arm and led the way 
to the grand dining hall. Mr. Crowningshield cour- 
teously offered his arm to Mrs. Edmonds, and fol- 
lowed. 

****** 

“Oh, mother, mother, come to the window ! There 
is such a grand coach, with black horses, the like of 
which I have not seen since we came to this quiet 
place ; such as father had before all our troubles came 
on ! Oh, come and see, mother !” 

“Why, Kathryn, you seem to be excited at sight of 
a carriage; though, truly, we have not seen such a 
one since we came to this place, two years ago !” 

“Oh, mother, perhaps ’tis some of our city friends, 
coming to make a visit! And oh, how can we enter- 
tain them here in this small house, and no servants but 
Phyllis and Silas?” 

“It may be some business men, some barristers, 
going to the village beyond. But would it not be nice 
and pleasant, after all, to have some of our friends? 
Suppose it is Mr. Barry and his dear wife ; how glad I 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


41 


should be to see them ! Dear Mr. Barry, who was so 
kind to us in our affliction, and who wound up our 
business affairs in such way as to secure to us this 
quiet nook ! I feel that had it not been for his clever- 
ness in managing and untangling our affairs we should 
not have had a cent left us.” 

But, mother, Phyllis is such a grumbler ; you know 
how she fusses if one of our country neighbors hap- 
pens in to a meal ; then, mother, dear, you know things 
are so different from what they were when father 
lived and had everything in great style — but see, 
mother, they are not passing by ! They draw up, the 
footman is descending to open the gate. They are 
turning in! Oh, who will meet them — shall I call 
Phyllis?” 

“No, Phyllis takes pride lately in dressing as badly 
as possible, and makes such a grotesque appear- 
ance ” 

“It is Mr. Barry — and another most elegant-looking 
gentleman !” exclaimed Kathryn, all excitement. “How 
bright and happy he is looking ; he must have pleasant 
tidings !” 

“Yes; dear Mr. Barry!” exclaimed Mrs. Arranton. 
“Let us hasten to the front and admit them ourselves, 
and give them a hearty welcome to our little home.” 

“Oh, Mr. Barry, how glad we are to see you ! Wel- 
come, welcome!” 

“Charmed to see you looking so well, Mrs. Arran- 
ton. And how is our little mischief-loving Kate? Mr. 
Crowningshield, come right in, sir. Mrs. Arranton, 
allow me to present Mr. Crowningshield. Miss Ar- 
ranton, Mr. Crowningshield.” 

“Lay off your raps and come into the sitting-room, 
where we have a cheerful fire,” said Mrs. Arranton. 

“Oh, it is not cold to speak of; we have enjoyed a 
pleasant drive, and no inconvenience from the weather. 


42 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


But ah, this is a marvel of comfort!” he said, seating 
himself, and holding his hands over the glowing 
coals. 

“How is Mrs. Barry, and Mrs. Edmonds, and why 
did not they accompany you, Mr. Barry?” asked Mrs. 
Arranton. 

“Oh, Mrs. Barry and Emily are well, and were quite 
busily engaged, I assure you, Mrs. Arranton, prepar- 
ing to receive visitors.” 

“Mr. Crowningshield,” said Kathryn, “how did you 
enjoy your trip across the country?” 

“Oh, very much, I thank you, Miss Arranton ; the 
drive was exhilarating; but,” he said, while a slight 
blush tinged his fair face, “I should have appreciated 
having the ladies along.” 

“You have, then, met dear Mrs. Barry and Mrs. 
Edmonds ?” 

“Yes, and admire them, too! I think it fine to be in 
America.” 

“You have not been here long, then?” 

“I arrived only yesterday; just a short time since 1 
embarked at Liverpool.” 

“Liverpool?” 

“Yes, Miss Arranton; and enjoyed a fine voyage.” 

“My dear Mrs. Arranton, there is no wind so ill 
that it blows no good to any,” said Mr. Barry, with a 
glowing countenance. “Mr. Crowningshield is just 
from England, and is bearer of important news.” 

“Yes, Mrs. Arranton ; I am confidential business 
agent for Malise Clifton, Earl of Fleetwood.” 

“Earl of Fleetwood! Is it possible my great-grand- 
father still lives! Or, who is the Earl of Fleetwood 
now? Malise Clifton was the name of my great- 
grandfather; can it be possible he still lives? No; 
vain hope! I have ever entertained a hope that I 
might one day see him — yet, no ! He is too old ; he is 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


43 

“Yes, Lady, he still lives — yet, tell me, Mrs. Arran- 
ton, who was your grandmother?” 

“Lady Hawren, Baroness of Hawren. Oh, does 
she still live?” 

“No, Lady; she died four years ago, and I have 
come to communicate to you the important fact that 
you are to inherit all her immense wealth. You are 
now yourself, Lady Hawren.” 

“Oh, surely not! Where are my two uncles who 
were to inherit all?” 

“Your two uncles were killed in battle many years 
ago, and it is said they were found side by side on the 
battlefield, as if they had striven for each other.” 

Mrs. Arranton buried her face in her hands and 
wept. Kathryn went over to her side and, placing her 
arms around her neck, said : 

“Dearest mother, do not weep for them; you know 
they were cruel to your mother, and your grandmother 
disinherited her and would never see her again after 
she married.” 

“Excuse me, Mrs. Arranton, where did your mother 
die?” 

“In Paris, sir, leaving me with the Dubois-Ray- 
monds, my grandparents, my father having died a few 
years previous.” 

“Yes, Lady Hawren; your great-grandfather still 
lives, and enjoys health at the age of one hundred— 
has passed his one-hundredth anniversary — and has 
sent me to bring you and your daughter to him before 
he dies. Her sons being dead, your grandmother, 
Baroness of Hawren, on her deathbed repented, and 
requested that you, the only child of her daughter, 
Lady Mary, whom she had so cruelly wronged, should 
be found and brought back to inherit the old home- 
stead and made heiress of the Hawren estates. Your 
grandfather requests me to say to you spare no ex- 
pense to have everything as it should be. I have de- 


44 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


posited in the city of Williamsburg all the money you 
can possibly need for the occasion. And he desires 
that you should come accompanied by a retinue suited 
in every way to your station as heiress of Hawren and 
granddaughter of the Earl of Fleetwood. You, dear 
Lady Hawren, shall lack nothing, no matter how much 
you may require.” Mr. Barry rose, and took her hand, 
saying : 

“Oh, may God’s blessings be and rest upon you, 
Lady Hawren! I am happy, indeed, to bring you such 
good tidings ; and now you and Kathryn are to bundle 
up and go back with us to-morrow. That is the reason 
wife and Emily did not accompany us ; they are mak- 
ing great preparations for your reception. I told you, 
Kate, they are preparing for visitors,” said he, turning 
to Kathryn and taking her little trembling hands in his. 

“Oh, Mr. Barry,” cried Mrs. Arranton, “and all 
this time you have had no luncheon ! I must have you 
something immediately. I had quite forgotten your 
long drive and have left you to famish.” 

“Not so, Lady Hawren — now you must let me call 
you so — we stopped a few miles back, at the little inn, 
and had a refreshing meal, so do not trouble yourself 
in the least ; but we will have to remain overnight with 
you, in order to rest up the horses and give you a little 
time to make your preparations. Where is the dear 
boy? Where is Edwin?” 

“Oh, my dear Mr. Barry, he is a working boy ; and 
went out with Silas to-day to the forest to help lay in 
the winter supply of wood. He will be in later.” 

“Laying in wood for winter, is he? A provident 
young man.” 

Kathryn, seizing the opportunity, left her mother 
asking many questions of Mr. Crowningshield relative 
to her grandfather, and flew in quest of Phyllis. She 
met her coming in from the barn, where she had been 
giving directions to the driver and footman, in regard 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


45 


to feed for their horses, as Edwin and Silas were 
away. Phyllis was astounded when Kathryn rushed 
up to her, threw her arms around her neck, and burst 
into a flood of tears. 

“ ’Fore de Lawd, honey, what in de worl’ de matter 
wid yer? What all dese folks a-comin’ here fo’, an’ 
what’s I gwine ter cook for dem ter eat ? ’Spose I got 
ter cook for um. Now, baby, what yer cryin’ for?” 

“Oh, Phyllis, we are no longer poor; we are rich! 
Mother’s an heiress ; and you shall have everything you 
want to cook ; and you know what a fine cook you are ! 
And, Phyllis, it is dear Mr. Barry, and there is a fine 
gentleman with him from England, who has brought 
us all this good news ; and I know you will get up a 
fine dinner for them, Phyllis.” 

“ Whar I gwine ter git things ter cook, baby ? Whar 
you ’spect I’s gwine ter git um ?” 

“Phyllis, I know! Mother has about five pounds; 
you run and saddle Fraxinella for me, and I will gallop 
off to the village in no time and select everything we' 
shall need, and have a great dinner.” 

“Look here, honey, how you gwine to tote um on 
dat little palfer?” 

“Oh, I’ll have them put in a large basket, and get 
Benjie White to bring them for me. I will get fish, 
oysters, and, oh, everything; and you can dress some 
chickens, Phyllis ; your chickens are so fat and nice ! 
Have plenty, too, prepared for breakfast in the morn- 
ing. Then — oh, Phyllis, we are all going to Williams- 
burg with Mr. Barry, and not stay here any longer. 
Now, I’ll run and don my habit and be r;eady in no 
time.” 

“Look heah, baby; don’t yer know your ma been 
savin’ dat little money for ’mergency? She ’spect 
sumthin’ might happen; somebody git sick, or sum- 
thin’. She’s sabin’ that money for ’mergency, honey.” 

“Oh, Phyllis, something has happened ; the emer- 


46 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


gency has come, and now it is in demand. And, Phyl- 
lis, can you get the chambers upstairs ready for the 
company? Is there plenty of snowy bed linen, and is 
there spotless napery for the table, Phyllis ?” 

“Humph, baby! Jes' come heah,” said Phyllis, as 
she proceeded to the farther end of the dining-room, 
where she knelt down and opened a large chest. 

“Phyllis been sabin' sumpin’ for 'mergency, too! 
You 'spect I’s gwine ter use up all dat fine linen what 
ole Mistis gived to li’le Missy when she marry Mas’ 
Albert? You 'spect I’s gwine ter hab dat fine linen 
wore out usin' it ebery day? No, chile. I hope 
Mistiss General Arranton make up all dis linen, an' I’s 
gwine ter teck keer of it, too !" 

And she unfolded lovely table linens and pillow 
cases ; then drew from the very depths of the old fam- 
ily chest a couple of fine old hand-made, double dimity 
counterpanes, redolent of lavender blossoms, with rose 
leaves dropping from their folds. Kathryn clasped her 
hands in an ecstasy of relief and cried : 

“You dear old Phyllis! How nice of you to save 
all these things for us ! Oh, we will have everything 
just lovely! Now, bring the pony, Phyllis. I will 
send Mrs. White over, and she and I will arrange the 
dining-room and the chambers for the guests; you 
will have enough to do. Then we’ll keep Benjie to 
bring in wood and water and help around.” 

She darted off, but soon returned in her habit, her 
gray hat loaded with plumes, and set out at a full 
canter. Turning down the right line of fence forming 
the west boundary line of the plantation, she drew up 
at a small cottage, where the Widow White lived with 
her son, Benjie, who made for himself and mother a 
scant living by working on the plantation. 

Kathryn soon notified Mrs. White of the change 
which had taken place in their fortunes, and of her 
intention of providing a nice dinner for their guests ; 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


47 


desired Benjie to accompany her to the village to carry 
home the basket, and asked Mrs. White to go over 
and assist Phyllis in arranging everything, and also to 
partake of the fine dinner which she was resolved to 
have. 

“Well, Miss Kathryn, to be sure we will come and 
help you all we can; and you will find Benjie already 
over at the store.” 

Thanking Mrs. White, Kathryn sped on her way, 
and ere long had made all needful purchases, soon re- 
turning home, followed by the faithful Benjie, a stout- 
built lad, with a well-filled basket on his head. 

Phyllis was delighted with the many good things 
provided for her to cook. Mrs. White and Kathryn 
soon had the table arranged in perfect order, and to 
the great delight of good Mrs. White, in rummaging 
through closets and cupboards, they found many a 
piece of fine china, or quaint silver; old bowls, dishes 
and spoons that, when burnished, added greatly to 
the brilliancy of the table. 

Then Mrs. White took the lovely old counterpane 
with the bed linen and went upstairs and prepared the 
two bedrooms, while Kathryn dressed herself in a 
pretty and becoming crimson cashmere, trimmed with 
white lace, then went into the sitting-room and joined 
in the conversation. 

Presently Edwin came in and was greeted with great 
warmth by his guardian ; then was introduced to Mr. 
Crowningshield. 

He was soon informed of Mr. Crowningshield’s 
mission. And, while Silas built a fire in the drawing- 
room, Edwin conducted the gentlemen to their apart- 
ments, that they might prepare for dinner. 

When the men had left the sitting-room Kathryn 
threw herself into her mother’s arms, and both wept. 

“Oh,” cried Kathryn, “who could have dreamed of 
such good-fortune coming to us !” 


I EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


[48 


“Darling, it is no more than should have come to us 
years ago ; they have been searching for us so long. 
And Mr. Crowningshield has been telling me so much 
about my great-grandfather ; he is such a dear, nice 
old gentleman ; do not you know we shall love him 
dearly ?” 

“Yes, mother, I know we shall love him; and, 
mother, isn’t Mr. Crowningshield so elegant?” 

“Yes, and has lived with grandfather at Fleetwood 
for years. Oh, darling, it is approaching time for 
dinner, and what can Phyllis provide for our guests? 

I am in despair — we so seldom have visitors — and am 
almost overcome with excitement !” 

“Mother, everything is nicely arranged for dinner; 
do not be disturbed about that. Good Mrs. White is 
here, helping Phyllis ; she and I have arranged the 
table beautifully. Come to your room, now, and I will 
help you dress.” 

When they reappeared Lady Hawren, as we shall 
now call her, was dressed in a robe of rich black mate- 
rial, plainly made, with a fall of black lace and crepe at 
the throat and wrists, making her white throat and 
dainty hands look more white and dainty still. Her 
face was now flushed from intense excitement, her eyes 
sparkled like jewels, and she was more lovely than 
ever. 

Kathryn drew her on down the corridor and into 
the dining-room, saying as they went: 

“Now, mother, I will let you see what is being done 
toward dinner.” There she beheld the table covered 
with snowy linen, and fairly glittering with bright 
silver, sparkling glass, and choice bits of china. 

Lady Hawren dropped into a chair and threw up 
her hands, exclaiming: “Surely, I am dreaming, or 
there is some sorcery about this, or else I am be- 
witched.” 

“No,” said Mrs. White, with a jovial laugh; “it is 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


49 


all real, as I can testify, for there stands the witch, if 
there’s one/’ pointing to Kathryn. “She and Benjie 
went to the village and have brought out enough for a 
great wedding of everything that is good.” 

Lady Hawren started back to the drawing-room and 
met Edwin in the corridor lighting the little terracotta 
lamps, swinging by little chains from an /Egean can- 
delabrum of great elegance. He extinguished the 
lighter and caught his aunt in his arms, giving her a 
warm kiss. 

“Dear aunt — dear Lady Hawren,” he cried, “I am 
so glad that you are to be placed in your proper sphere 
once more, and that you are to leave this poor little 
lonely place, where you have had so much sorrow.” 
Giving Kathryn also a hug and kiss, they passed into 
the drawing-room, where Edwin had already con- 
ducted their guests, who, with elegant courtesy, rose 
and stood while the ladies were being seated. Mr. 
Crowningshield crossed the room to inspect a painting 
on the wall opposite, saying : 

“I trust, Lady Hawren, that you will pardon a dis- 
play of curiosity on my part ; I cannot resist a temp- 
tation, a great desire, to examine more closely this 
quaint painting.” 

“Mr. Crowningshield, excuse me ; it is not ade- 
quately lighted,” she observed, as she passed by him, 
and with the nice perception of an artist arranged the 
heavy drapery at the west window so that the setting 
sun threw a flood of radiance on the picture, bringing 
out the quaint figures in lifelike beauty. 

“How lovely!” he exclaimed. “Is this, Lady Haw- 
ren, the work of your hands?” 

“Oh, yes, sir!” she said. 

“It is to me an unfamiliar subject.” 

“Yes, it is a simple and relatively unknown scene, 
and was taken from Raphael’s exquisite representation 
of the Sposalizio, which was painted for the Church of 


50 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


San Francesco, near Cita di Castello, a town of Um- 
l>ria ; and was brought as a trophy of war, during the 
trouble between France and Italy, to the Convent of 
St. Cathrin’s in Paris, where I was a student.” 

“I claim some artistic ability, myself, Lady Haw- 
ren,” he said, “and pronounce that a chef-d’oeuvre — a 
wondrous masterpiece.” 

“Mr. Crowningshield,” she said modestly, “it has 
been so pronounced by some of the best connoisseurs 
of Paris.” 

“Observe,” he said admiringly, “the figures are 
grouped with exquisite grace and skill ; the poetic deli- 
cacy throughout the whole is far above any I have 
ever seen. Will you not explain it to me? It appears 
to represent a marriage ; and some of the men behind 
the bridegroom seem to be angry, from the emotion 
depicted in their faces, while others — the women be- 
hind the lovely bride — look placid and beautiful, espe- 
cially the dainty lady just beside her, so richly and ele- 
gantly costumed, in the heavy flowing drapery of the 
day.” 

“Yes, sir, it is the Sposalizio, or marriage of the 
Virgin. It seems there were a number of suitors for 
the hand of the Virgin, and, in order to decide which 
of them should have the ‘Chosen Maiden/ recourse 
was had to divination. Every man was to take a rod 
and lay it up in the Temple, and the man whose rod 
should miraculously put forth leaves and blooms was 
the chosen one ; and when the ordeal was at hand, be- 
hold! Joseph’s leaved and blossomed, it is said, pure 
white lilies. Mary was, therefore, betrothed to him by 
the High Priest, who in the picture stands in flowing 
robes near the centre with long, gray beard, his costly 
robe showing a rich, heavy border, and wearing on 
his head a high cap. Fie is joining their right hands. 
Joseph holds in his left hand the rod, displaying leaves 
and flowers. Mary stands on the other side of the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


5i 

High Priest, with pure, innocent face and long, grace- 
fully flowing robes. The discontented suitors, with 
passion depicted in their faces, stand behind Joseph, 
some ready to strike the favored one, while others 
break their rods in spiteful fury.” 

“Lady Hawren, that is certainly a top masterpiece 
of art. Fine! Very fine!” said Mr. Crowningshield, 
just as Silas stepped up to the door and announced 
dinner. 

Lady Hawren led the way, leaning on the arm of 
Mr. Barry, while Mr. Crowningshield, Kathryn, and 
Edwin followed. 

Mrs. White greeted Mr. Barry as her kind benefac- 
tor, for his kind generosity had placed her here, after 
her husband had been cruelly murdered in an Indian 
massacre ; and she greatly appreciated his kindness. 
Phyllis, after a cordial greeting from Mr. Barry, has- 
tened to seat her mistress in a high-backed chair at 
the head of the table and adjusted a soft Ottoman 
under her feet. Mr. Barry and Mr. Crowningshield 
were seated at Lady Hawren’s right ; Kathryn and 
Edwin took seats on her left. All bowed in reverence, 
while Mr. Barry pronounced a benediction. Mrs. 
White stood at the foot of the table and served soup 
in the small and dainty bowls, which Benjie, with some 
trepidation and awkwardness, handed on a silver 
waiter, this being his first attempt to serve in the 
capacity of waiter at table. 

Dinner was greatly enjoyed by all. After dinner, 
when all were assembled in the drawing-room, Mr. 
Barry and Lady Hawren had a long talk, in which it 
was arranged that Mrs. White should be installed here 
as housekeeper, and Benjie given employment on the 
place ; an overseer, with several negro families, would 
be sent out to work the plantation and put into cultiva- 
tion more of the valuable land. 

Tobacco culture was the chief occupation of Vir- 


52 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


ginians at that time. Thousands of hogsheads of this 
valuable product were shipped to Liverpool annually, 
where there was a great market for it. And vast for- 
tunes were made from it in a few years. 

Mr. Barry owned several rich plantations run by 
negro labor, and had already realized an independent 
fortune from it, outside of his lucrative profession as 
barrister, or apprentice-at-law. 

Phyllis and Silas were to remain a day or two and, 
assisted by Mrs. White, pack the valuable pieces of 
furniture and heirlooms which Lady Hawren wished 
to take along, and Mr. Barry would send for them in 
a few days. 

Edwin was to stay with Mr. Barry and enter college. 

“And,” said Lady Hawren, “I wish Silas to remain 
with Edwin, as his attendant, for he was, in Edwin’s 
infancy, his nurse ; and I feel that he should remain 
with and care for him. I will take Phyllis with me ; 
she nursed my husband and has cared’ for me and 
Kathryn, and is now getting old. I feel that I should 
care for her in her old age. And, my dear Mr. Barry, 
I desire that all moneys coming to me from this plan- 
tation be used for Edwin’s education, for I well know 
that the meagre sum you now hold for him will 
scarcely carry him through college ; and I am most 
anxious to have him placed in Oxford next year. And, 
my dear friend, he need not know this, for he is so 
independent he would scarcely accept it if he knew.” 

CHAPTER IV. 

AMONG OLD FRIENDS. 

"How deep that blush! — how deep that sigh! 

And why does Lucy shun mine eye? 

Is it because that crimson draws 
Its color from some secret cause, 

.Some hidden movement of the breast 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


53 


She would not that her Arthur guess’d? 

O! quicker far is lovers’ ken 

Than the dull glance of common men, 

And by strange sympathy can spell 
The thoughts the loved one will not tell!” 

We look again into the handsome drawing-room 
where first we met Mr. Barry and the pleasant Eng- 
lishman, Mr. Crowningshield. Mrs. Edmonds and her 
friend, Miss Annie Hamilton, were seated on a sofa 
in the deep recess of a front window, now and then 
looking out, expectantly. 

“Oh, surely they will soon be here. I am getting 
impatient to see dear Mrs. Arranton and Kathryn ; and 
especially do I wish to meet the elegant Mr. Crowning- 
shield, whom you so gloriously describe — auburn curls 
and dark-brown eyes ; he must have made an impres- 
sion on your heart, Emily.” 

“Be careful you do not lose your heart, my dear 
Annie. But nay, he is not for you !” replied Mrs. Ed- 
monds. 

“How did you describe his looks? Tall, slender, fair 
skin, dark, chestnut hair; brown eyes, a slight mous- 
tache — faultless ?” 

Miss Hamilton was a granddaughter of Andrew 
Hamilton, former Governor of New Jersey, and was 
descended from the old family of Hamiltons of Ham- 
ilton Castle, Scotland, and distantly related to the Ar- 
rantons. She had a wealth of black hair, brilliant eyes, 
rosy cheeks, and a dainty mouth — but her nose was 
large, and Roman. 

“Here they come, sure enough, this time!” she ex- 
claimed. And a coach turned the corner and drew up 
immediately in front. 

Mrs. Barry, followed by a number of servants, came 
bustling out to receive them ; the two young ladies also 
followed. 

The footman opened the door of the coach. Mr. 


54 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Barry and Mr. Crowningshield descended, and were 
warmly welcomed by the ladies ; and Mrs. Edmonds 
introduced Mr. Crowningshield to her friend. Lady 
Hawren and Kathryn were handed out, and received 
with a great demonstration of joy. Then Edwin 
sprang out and was cordially received. Mr. Barry, 
turning to his wife, said : 

“Mother, this is our boy, now. At least, he is to re- 
main with us a while.” 

“Yes, yes; how glad we are to have you with us 
again, Edwin! Lady Hawren,” she said, “you must 
be nearly exhausted from your trip. Emily, you and 
Annie can take the ladies to their rooms, where they 
may have a few moments of rest before dinner. I 
will send your trunks up immediately, Lady Hawren.” 

“Thank you, dear Mrs. Barry; I do feel a little 
fatigued and shall be glad of a little rest.” 

They were conducted upstairs into a large, pleasant 
and beautifully furnished room. Lady Hawren and 
Kathryn, after taking off their wraps, lay down on 
the snowy bed. Mrs. Edmonds and Annie drew their 
chairs up beside them and enjoyed a fine, old-time 
talk before time to dress. 

“Mr. Crowningshield,” said Mrs. Edmonds, “has 
told us all about his long search for you, Lady Haw- 
ren, and of your grandfather. We are so rejoiced; 
yet are sorry to give you up. How shall you manage ? 
What will you do first?” 

“Truly, there is much to be done before we arrive 
at Fleetwood. We leave here in a few days for Paris.” 

“Oh, are you going to Paris? Then possibly we 
can make the trip together, as I am, as usual, to spend 
Christmas with my sister there, and had expected to 
embark in one week.” 

“Oh, how delightful! Then we may go together. 
Mr. Crowningshield is compelled to go by way of 
Paris on some important business, and I must neces- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


55 


sarily go by, in order to have some good clothing 
made up for myself and Kathryn, who have for two 
years lived free from all social life and must have 
something a little fashionable ; then I must procure 
suitable teachers for Kathryn, and employ maids, at- 
tendants and servants to make up a suitable retinue. 
And, besides, I wish to visit my relatives in that 
city.” 

“What teachers shall you want, Lady Hawren?” 
asked Mrs. Edmonds. 

“I shall need a teacher of literature, French, and 
English ; one for vocal and one for instrumental mu- 
sic,” replied Lady Hawren. 

“Lady Hawren, I have taught Kathryn the music 
she has learned, both in Paris and at this place, and do 
feel distressed to have her taught by any one else.” 

“Oh, Mrs. Edmonds,” cried Kathryn, “if you only 
would go with us ! You and Annie, both ; oh, do !” 

“Kathryn must have a companion,” continued Lady 
Hawren, “suited to her age ; and I shall much need a 
dear friend and companion. If you could, indeed, go 
with us, dear friends, how much more to our advan- 
tage it would be than having to seek among strangers 
for what we want !” 

“Lady Hawren, Annie is a superb vocalist, as you 
know ; you could not find a finer or more suitable one 
anywhere. She is the best that has ever been in our 
city, and studied under the finest tutors in Paris. How 
could you do better than have her, if she will go?” 
said Mrs. Edmonds. 

“Oh, there could be nothing nicer!” cried Kathryn, 
springing to her feet and giving Annie a genuine hug. 

“I do insist,” said Lady Hawren, “that you both do 
go, if only for a visit of a year or two, with us.” 

“Oh, Cousin Annie,” said Kathryn, <: I cannot leave 
you here ; you and dear Mrs. Edmonds ! Oh, you must 
go!” 


56 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Darling child,” replied Mrs. Edmonds, “I should 
be delighted to do so. Would not you like a visit to 
England, Annie?” 

“Indeed, I should ; it would be grand !” 

“But,” said Mrs. Edmonds, “I have promised my 
sister to spend Christmas with her in Paris.” 

“Why, we cannot possibly get away from Paris be- 
fore Christmas,” said Lady Hawren. “I expect to 
spend Christmas with my uncle, Count Dubois-Ray- 
mond, then start immediately after for Liverpool.” 

“Then, Lady Hawren, I promise conditionally to go 
with you,” said Mrs. Edmonds ; “that is, if you will 
permit me to continue to instruct Kathryn in her mu- 
sic. I insist upon this, as I know I should be better 
contented. I must have something to occupy my 
mind.” 

“Oh, dear friend, I would deem it the greatest priv- 
ilege to have you under any condition! Oh, I shall 
be charmed ” 

“Lady Hawren,” said Annie, “you remember Cousin 
Hugh Drysdale, the present Governor?” 

“Oh, certainly; I remember him well. He was one 
of our best friends. I was grieved to hear of the death 
of his wife, though I never met her.” 

“Yes, she has been dead something over a year. His 
mother lives with him, but has feeble health, and is not 
capable of directing affairs at the mansion ; so her 
cousin, Miss Elizabeth Macelrath, is looked upon as, 
and is, in reality, mistress of the mansion. Cousin 
Hugh is so good to her, and gives her liberty to have 
everything her own way, and I can assure you she 
manages in fine style, and gives the most superb din- 
ners, the grandest suppers and balls ! Some think he 
will marry her, but I do not.” 

“Yes, Annie, I know ; my husband and I looked 
upon him as one of our best friends. I always thought 
him very nice.” 

“Indeed, he is nice,” said Mrs. Edmonds. “By the 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


57 

way, you will meet him; he is to dine with us this 
evening.” 

“It is over two years since I saw him,” said Lady 
Hawren. 

“Oh, I remember him!” exclaimed Kathryn; “he 
was just a darling man, and I did love him, for he 
would romp and play with Ned and me so nicely, and 
said he had no little girl or boy of his own to play 
with/ 7 

“Look out, now, Kate,” said Annie; “he’s a nice 
widower; you should be careful how you love him.” 

“Oh, you look out, Miss Annie; I shall love him, 
anyhow. Now I am going to get up and dress ; I am 
no longer tired.” 

Mrs. Edmonds rang for the maids, who soon ap- 
peared. 

“Vinie, attend Miss Kathryn, there in the adjoining 
room. Amele, you can wait on Lady Hawren, here, 
when she requires your services.” 

Amele was Mrs. Edmonds’ own French maid, 
whom she resigned to the use of Lady Hawren during 
her stay. The maid who was to attend Kathryn was 
a negro girl about eighteen. Annie and Vinie both 
went to work to get Kathryn ready, and soon had her 
dressed. Then Annie conducted her downstairs. 

“Oh, Lady Hawren,” cried Mrs. Edmonds, after the 
others had gone, “I feel that I must go with you. I 
must have something to occupy my time. How hard 
it is for me to live without something to keep my 
mind from the dreadful reality of this life, to keep me 
from brooding over the past ! I must have a change, 
and must be employed.” 

“Dear Emily, you know how glad we will be to have 
you with us. And also know that I can sympathize 
with you in your sorrow ; to lose the dear companion of 
one’s life is hard to bear.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


58 

“Oh, but if my husband had died at home, sur- 
rounded by comforts that loving hands could give, I 
could at least have had the satisfaction of caring for 
him in his last moments, as had you, when your hus- 
^ band died ; but poor Harry was left on the battlefield, 
f wounded, with no one near to offer him one word of 
comfort. This, dear Lady Hawren, is agonizing to me 
to think on.” 

“There, now, Emily, dry your tears ; you must in- 
deed make your arrangements to go with us to Eng- 
land.” 

“I will do it, Lady Hawren ; I will go with you !” 

“Dear Kathryn,” said Annie, as they went down 
the broad stairway, “I shall die of ennui if I am left 
here, for I do believe Mrs. Edmonds intends going 
with you, and brother is to be married next week. He 
will no longer need me as the mistress of his house ; 
so I will, with his consent, make my arrangements to 
go with you, if Mrs. Edmonds goes, and remain — ah, 
no telling how long!” 

“Oh, do, dear Annie; I shall be delighted, and we 
will be so glad to have you with us on the voyage! 
And after we get to Fleetwood we will see so many 
sights.” 

“Then, if brother is willing, I shall go.” 

A handsome man was entering the hall as they 
reached the foot of the stairway — apparently about 
forty, neither tall nor short, but of medium height and 
size, with a gentlemanly bearing and a fine intellectual 
face. 

“Oh, Cousin Hugh,” cried Annie, “here is your 
little friend, Kathryn Arranton ; see, she has grown to 
almost a woman!” 

“Ah, my little friend,” he cried, “how glad am I 
to meet you again!” And they shook hands warmly. 
He offered each an arm, and they promenaded up and 
down the hall in lively conversation. “How you have 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


S9 


grown, my dear! Why, you are as large now as An- 
nie, every bit — larger, some, than your mother, I sus- 
pect. How is her health — and did you enjoy coming 
through the country to-day?” 

A little later, with arms twined around each other, 
Mrs. Edmonds and Lady Hawren descended the stair- 
way. Lord Drysdale, with the young ladies, advanced 
to meet them. He greeted Lady Hawren with a look 
of profound admiration. Her face possessed the rare 
beauty of the southern clime, her color was heightened 
by excitement, occasioned by the conversation she had 
just held with Emily; her soft, hazel eyes sparkled 
like diamonds, and her coral lips spoke a joyous greet- 
ing, as he seized her delicate hand with a warm pres- 
sure. 

We leave them standing, all conversing together, in 
the great hall, while we hearken to the conversation 
carried on between Mr. Barry and Mr. Crowningshield 
in the drawing-room. 

“Mr. Barry,” said Mr. Crowningshield, “my mother 
was a Barry, and I was named for her family. Where 
were your people from, please, sir?” 

“Why, my dear sir, my father was born in Liverpool 
nearly a hundred years ago,” replied he. 

“Ah, really!” exclaimed Mr. Crowningshield. “Per- 
haps, then, we are related. Had he a brother, or 
brothers, sir?” 

“Yes, sir; he had two brothers, who, so far as I 
know, always lived in Liverpool ; one, James W. Barry, 
and the other, Samuel.” 

“What was the W. for in your uncle’s name, Mr. 
Barry?” 

“Wyckliffe; James Wyckliffe was his name. His 
mother was a Wyckliffe, sir. He was a partner in the 
firm of Wyckliffe & Barry.” 

“Then, Mr. Barry, your uncle, James W. Barry, was 
my own grandfather; my mother was his youngest 


6o 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


daughter, and my Christian name is for my grand- 
father, Barry.” 

“Well, well, well!” exclaimed Mr. Barry. “Then 
your mother is my own cousin? It must be so ! Then, 
my dear Mr. Crowningshield, we are related.” The 
men rose simultaneously and clasped each other’s hand 
with great warmth. Edwin rose also, and, shaking 
Mr. Crowningshield’s hand, said : 

“I am delighted, my dear Mr. Crowningshield, to 
find that you are related to my dear guardian.” 

“Thank you, Edwin,” he said ; “I am delighted, my- 
self, at the denouement.” 

“Well, well!” said Mr. Barry. “To think that you 
should prove to be a relative of mine! You are the 
first one I have ever seen.” 

“Your father came to this country many years ago, 
then, Mr. Barry.” 

“Yes, yes! While England has yet under the rule 
of the Lord Protector, many of the King’s followers 
fled to Virginia. Among them my father — the Wash- 
ingtons, Jeffersons, Lees, Randolphs, and a number of 
other aristocratic families, who fled to save their lives. 
I have never seen any of my father’s relations, having 
been born in this country.” 

Now the ladies entered the room; Lady Hawren, 
with Governor Lord Drysdale; Kathryn and Annie, 
arm in arm ; Mrs. Edmonds following with Robert 
Hamilton, Annie’s brother, who had but just arrived 
to dine with the party. 

Then Mr. Barry delighted them with an explana- 
tion of the relationship existing between himself and 
Mr. Crowningshield. 

Mr. Crowningshield said to Mrs. Edmonds ; “Then 
you and I are also related, are we not?” 

“Yes, yes, surely ; we are cousins, several times re- 
moved. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


61 


“Just an interesting relationship. May I not then 
call you cousin ?” 

“Yes, oh, yes; certainly, sir!” she said, smiling 
sweetly on him. 

“Oh, how delighted am I to claim you for a cousin, 
Mrs. Edmonds — Cousin Emily!” he said. 

Dinner was then announced, and, offering her his 
arm, they followed the others to a splendid dining 
hall, where Mrs. Barry did the honors of the table in 
a queenly manner. 

After dinner the evening was spent in pleasant con- 
versation. 

Lord Drysdale and Lady Hawren enjoyed a pleas- 
ant talk of bygone days, then engaged in an interest- 
ing game of whist with Mr. and Mrs. Barry, while 
Mr. Crowningshield and his cousin, Emily, and the 
others rendered some fine music. Annie favored them 
with some artistic solos, bringing into execution her 
marvelously melodious voice, which had received train- 
ing from best masters of Paris. 

Next morning Mr. Crowningshield and Edwin took 
Mrs. Edmonds, Annie and Kathryn out for a long 
drive over the city and some distance in the country. 
Lady Hawren had declined to accompany them, saying : 

“I feel that it will be better for me to rest this morn- 
ing, for all my strength will be required in making 
preparation for the voyage awaiting us.” 

Kathryn kissed her good-bye, then ran with Edwin 
out to the carriage, so young and full of life. 

“They are so happy!” said Lady Hawren, as they 
rolled away, speaking to Amele and Vinie, who stood 
with her in the hall. 

“Ah, Miladi should haf gone viz zem; dey vil haf 
mudge pleasure !” said Amele. 

“Yes,” said Lady Hawren, “they will enjoy it, I am 
sure; but I wish to sit and read a while, and it is 
rather cold for me to go out.” 


62 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


She turned into the library and, selecting a volume 
she wished to read, seated herself in a great soft chair 
near a window. Vinie placed an Ottoman under her 
feet, then stirred up the fire in the grate. 

"‘Throw something over my shoulders, Vinie, till 
the room gets warmer. I wish to sit here by the win- 
dow.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” returned Vinie; and she went into 
the hall and, taking down a light-blue shawl, started 
with it ; but Amele, who stood regarding Lady Haw- 
ren with admiring gaze, turned, and, on seeing Vinie 
take down the blue shawl, snatched it from her hand, 
saying in a low voice : 

“Oh, Mon Dieu! Vould you spoil zee pretty pic- 
ture? Oh, you heathen ! Mafoi! Here, led me show 
you. Thees delicate pink scarf will be more appro- 
priate vis miladi’s complegsion and blag costume. 
Stand bag, Vinie, I vill do id.” And softly she glided 
up to Lady Hawren, who was by this time deeply in- 
terested in her volume, “Arte of English Poesie,” and 
lightly spread the lovely scarf over her Ladyship’s 
shoulders, deftly tucking it in here and there ; then, 
with rare taste for the beautiful, drew a soft fluffy 
corner of it up quite over the back of her Ladyship’s 
coiffure. Contrasting with her dark hair, the effect 
was fine, relieving the sombre robe, and casting a rich 
halo around her pretty head, when the gracious lady 
with her book, oblivious of what was taking place 
around her, glanced up and smiled her thanks to 
Amele, saying simply : 

“// est suffisant , Amele.” 

Amele left the room, but stood in the hall looking 
back with admiration on the picture of loveliness. 

“Oh, ma beaute! Miladi elle est charmcmt!” she 
cried, and, turning to Vinie, who still stood near look- 
ing on, said ; 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


63 

“And thou, bete noir, would haf spoiled this loveli- 
ness vis zat blue Out upon you, heathen Vinie!” 

Vinie grinned from ear to ear ; Amele picked up the 
broom which Vinie had been using, and, taking after 
her, they both went scudding down the hall, laughing 
merrily. 

The romping maids had not more than gone out of 
sight when Lord Drysdale came quietly up the steps. 
Seeing no one in the hall — for Vinie had been left 
there instead of the footman, who had gone with the 
carriage — and being on perfectly familiar terms with 
the family, he hung up his greatcoat and hat, then 
thought he would step into the library until someone 
should come. At the doorway he paused on beholding 
the lovely picture presented to his view. 

Lady Hawren heard a footfall and, without raising 
her eyes, asked: 

“What is it, Vinie?” 

His Lordship drew up quite near in front of her, 
then said: 

“Your Ladyship will pardon my intrusion? I beg a 
thousand pardons. Am sorry to interrupt your pleas- 
ant occupation.” 

She looked up and met his enraptured gaze. And 
so startled was she that the “Arte of English Poesie” 
tumbled onto the carpet. 

Gallantly he picked up the volume. She attempted 
to rise, to make him a curtsey, as was the custom, but 
he was so near that she found she could not do so 
gracefully. He said : 

“Pray do not rise, do not move! I will sit here.” 

Seating himself opposite, as she had not yet spoken, 
he said : 

“Can you pardon the intrusion, or must I sue on 
bended knee ?” 

She, usually so self-possessed, was a little flurried, 
and sank back in her chair, exclaiming : 


6 4 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“No, no! I assure you, the interruption is most 
agreeable, as I am left alone this morning for a little 
while. Mrs. Barry has been hastily summoned to the 
bedside of a friend who is quite ill, and the others have 
gone driving.” 

“Then I am glad I dropped in, though my presence 
may not prove so agreeable to you as a good book.” 

“Oh, my Lord, you force me to own that I am 
charmed to have you for company.” 

“Thank you ! Most humbly do I thank you for the 
kind assurance. Has it yet been determined at what 
time you will embark ?” 

“Oh, yes, my Lord ; Mr. Crowningshield ascertained 
this morning that a vessel will leave port for Havre in 
three days, and has engaged passage for our party. 
And oh, my Lord, do you know that dear Mr. Barry 
this morning decided to accompany us as far as Liver- 
pool to visit his relatives, and the ladies have fully de- 
termined to go with me to Fleetwood. Will it not be 
pleasant for Kathryn and me to have them with us?” 

“Indeed it will, dear Lady Hawren ! But here I am 
forced to remain for three long years more — until the 
expiration of my term of office. This is too hard on 
me, when I should so much enjoy being one of your 
party, and I do pine for my dear native land.” 

“You love England, then, my Lord?” 

“Oh, how dearly, but must perforce remain, when 
I so much wish to go. Of what a great happiness I 
am deprived ! Three years — three long, miserable 
years must elapse ere I shall be permitted to see you 
again,” said his Lordship, devouring her with his eyes. 

“But, my Lord, it is an honorable position you hold 
here ; you should be proud, rather, to hold it.” 

“Dear Lady Hawren, you speak patronizingly, as 
though I were a lad, and you my tutor ; but I do as- 
sure you it will be — to me, at least — a miserable three 
years.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


65 

“I beg your pardon, my Lord ; surely it will not be 
so bad. How far is it from Drysdale to Fleetwood — 
I mean, do you know anything of my grandfather, and 
do you know about Fleetwood and of the country 
around?” she asked, deftly trying to change the sub- 
ject. 

“How shall I answer so many questions — begin at 
the last and go back, or begin with the first, my Lady?” 

“My Lord, as you like.” 

“ ’Tis nearly a good day’s drive to Fleetwood from 
my chateau, as I choose to call my manor house, and 
when I do get back may I not come to Fleetwood — 
may I?” He looked straight into her bright, hazel 
eyes, until the long, fringed lids drooped over them. 

“Oh, yes, my Lord ; we will be very glad to see you 
— to have you visit us.” Her face was very rosy, and 
she was surpassingly lovely. “But — but I was asking 
you about my grandfather and his surroundings. Will 
you not, my Lord, tell me something of him? You 
must know him, having lived so near.” 

“Yes, dear Lady, I know him well, and also the two 
young lords, his grandsons.” 

“Brothers, my Lord?” 

“No; cousins, my Lady.” Thus they talked on till 
Mrs. Barry came. 

Phyllis and Silas arrived next day. Heavy cloaks, 
shawls, furs, and hoods for the voyage were procured, 
trunks were packed, and by evening all was in readi- 
ness for the start on the morrow. 

With evening came a number of guests, who had 
been invited to dine with them ; and after dinner there 
was music, many old-time games, and much happiness. 
Yet there were some sad hearts. 

Lord Drysdale and Kathryn had been promenading 
in the great hall. Leading her back to the drawing- 
room, his Lordship placed her beside her mother on a 
sofa and seated himself in front of them. Taking her 


66 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


hand in his, he drew from his vest pocket a finely 
carved gold ring, set with a bright sparkling ruby ; he 
placed it on her finger, saying: 

“My dear little friend, if your mother does not ob- 
ject, I wish you to wear this little ring as a token of 
friendship which, I trust, may always exist between us, 
and as a reminder of the happy days past, when you 
and Edwin were children, and I, having no children of 
my own, took so much delight in romping with you.’’ 

• 8 * 4 * 

CHAPTER V. 

EMBARKATION. 

“Be true, ye winds of ocean, and thou maiden sea, 
Wafting your charge to soft Parthenope.” 

All were now ready. The hour of embarkation 
drew near, the baggage had been sent aboard. Besides 
the Barry carriage, the Governor’s grand coach-and- 
six stood at the door, ready to convey the ladies and 
Mr. Crowningshield to the pier. Enveloped in long 
cloaks, they were seated with Lord Drysdale in his 
coach. Mr. Barry, with his wife and Edwin, who were 
going to' see them off; Amele, Phyllis, and Elsie, An- 
nie’s maid, went in his own carriage. His own body- 
servant and Mr. Crowningshield’s attendants had gone 
on with the luggage. 

The Swan, the great sailing vessel which was to bear 
them across the broad Atlantic, stood at anchor, her 
white sails flapping in the wind, as if impatient to 
be off. 

Many people stood on the strand to watch the pas- 
sengers as they went over the gangway to the great 
deck, which appeared to be already filled. Now all 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


67 


were aboard ; the Governor and Edwin had accompa- 
nied them. They made a tour of inspection through 
the elegant staterooms, and, finding them all that could 
be desired, returned to the deck, where farewells were 
spoken. 

A little to one side stood Lady Hawren and Lord 
Drysdale. 

“What a pleasure it would afford me to make one of 
your party, Lady Hawren. You can never know how 
discomforted you leave me,” he said, taking her hand 
to say farewell. “You must go, while I am forced to 
remain. You do not realize how madly I ” 

“True, my Lord; I must use all haste to my grand- 
father, who has sent for me. He is quite feeble ; and 
I feel that I should use all diligence to reach his side, 
or I may never be permitted to see him.” 

“May I ask of you, my Lady, one little promise, ere 
you leave me for so long a time? Just a little promise ; 
it will not, I think, be a burden for you to keep.” 

“Oh, no, no, my Lord ! Do not — or, how can I say, 
without first knowing what it is you would ask?” she 
said, all in a tremor. 

“You will promise, will you not?” he said, holding 
her hand closely imprisoned. “Only promise that you 
will not marry before I shall see you again, three years 
hence.” 

“Oh, my Lord, I can — I do promise that, readily,” 
she replied, her face all crimson. 

“I thank your Ladyship for this little promise,” he 
said. “May God’s blessings abide with and keep you 
always.” He gallantly raised her hand to his lips. 
Their eyes met in a mutual, thrilling glance, and, 
though no words were spoken, eye spoke love to eye, 
and heart stood revealed to heart. 

Drawing his hat down over his eyes, he passed on, 
shook hands with the other friends, wishing them a 
pleasant voyage, went on shore, entered his coach, the 


68 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


footman closed the door, and the Governor was driven 
to his mansion. 

This was Edwin’s first parting from Lady Hawren 
and Kathryn, and he was much affected. But Mr. 
Barry and Lady Hawren promised him that next year 
he should go to England and be placed in college there 
for the future. 

The heavy sails began to fill, the huge old ship quiv- 
ered and trembled ; our party leaned over the bulwarks, 
waving adieux to friends on the pier. A farewell gun 
was fired, The Swan turned gracefully, moved slowly 
at first, then went scudding along over a smooth sea, 
gliding gently on in her course. 

This voyage was greatly enjoyed, and proved one of 
the shortest ever made up to that time, for in about 
five weeks they disembarked at Havre. Vehicles were 
procured for the journey to Paris. The ladies were 
placed in a splendid coach, where they found them- 
selves quite comfortable. Stopping the first night in 
the old historic city of Rouen, they had time for a 
pleasant walk. 

They walked on the Boulevard along the river, and 
had pointed out to them many old and interesting ob- 
jects, among them the old Cathedral — a Gothic struc- 
ture of great beauty, containing, besides a number of 
other interesting monuments, the tomb of Richard 
Coeur de Lion. The Church of St. Ouen, built in the 
fourteenth century, and considered one of the finest 
specimens of Gothic architecture. In the Place de la 
Pucelle they saw a statue of the Maid of Orleans, who 
was burnt there in 1431, and many other fine monu- 
ments. 

The trip to Sainte Denis was made next day, where 
they were met by the Count Dubois-Raymond, with 
his sumptuous family coach and splendidly liveried 
attendants. 

The six-mile drive from Sainte Denis to the city 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


6g 

was delightful. Lady Hawren and Kathryn were 
driven far up the aristocratic Avenue des Champs 
Elysees, to the splendid Hotel, or city residence of 
Count Dubois-Raymond. 

Mr. Crowningshield was very much occupied with 
business, and the other members of the party went 
for a visit with their relations during the stay of two 
or three weeks in the city. As the time was limited, 
it would be mostly spent in preparation for their 
trip to North England. It was necessary that they 
should have magnificent wardrobes made up, and what 
with procuring a French teacher for Kathryn and wait- 
ing maids and other attendants suitable for her reti- 
nue, Lady Hawren was kept busily engaged most of 
the time. Yet the Christmas festivities were celebrated 
in fine style, and they seemed to enjoy no end of 
pleasures. 

The Dubois-Raymonds were solicitous to have them 
spend the entire season with them, promising many 
social pleasures, for the Countess was a leader in the 
literary as well as in the social circle, and in her 
sumptuous drawing-rooms were gathered, evening 
after evening, the gay social or literary coterie. 

Lady Hawren was immovable, being anxious to 
reach Fleetwood. Knowing the feebleness and uncer- 
tainty of life of one of her grandfather’s age, she felt 
that she must hasten to him as early as possible. Then 
there was danger of rough seas and shipwrecks if 
they waited later in the season. They determined to 
sail from Havre to Liverpool, looking on this route 
as preferable to an overland trip by coach from Lon- 
don to Carlisle; besides, Mr. Crowningshield wished 
not only to take Mr. Barry to visit his people, but 
desired that the whole party should stop at least one 
night with his father’s family. 

The Count, on their arrival in Paris, introduced to 
Lady Hawren a lad about fourteen years of age, say- 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


ing: “This, my dear Louise, is your own cousin, my 
sister’s son, Julien Gainsford; his father was an Eng- 
lishman, and he, like Ajax, being a blended knight, half 
Trojan and half Greek, knows not which side to 
espouse. He sometimes declares for France, then 
again is English out and out. But I believe if put to 
the test he would be neither half-hearted nor half- 
handed, but would go whole-souled for whichever side 
he did espouse.” 

“I believe, my Lord, if I might take him to England, 
I might make a good Englishman of him,” said Lady 
Hawren. 

“His father was in the English service in India, 
where he died when the lad was about ten years old, 
and I went to fetch his mother and him ; but before 
I reached Bombay she also died and left the poor child 
alone. I have kept him in school since, and I can as- 
sure you he is a bright scholar, Louise,” said the count. 

Lady Hawren was not long in discovering that Ju- 
lien was indeed a bright lad, and had a great desire to 
visit England ; so she proposed to take him in her 
train, as her own page. Julien gladly consented to 
this, and his uncle did not oppose him. 

Lady Hawren secured a tutor for Julien; and em- 
ployed a man to take charge of the luggage, another as 
common attendant ; then after completing their pur- 
chases, they again set out for Havre, whence they 
sailed for Liverpool. In two weeks more they found 
themselves about sunset in the mouth of the Mersey 
ready to disembark at Liverpool. 

Mr. Crowningshield at once sent a runner to convey 
the intelligence of their arrival, then secured a carriage 
for the ladies, and when they drew up at the residence 
of the elder Mr. Crowningshield, the mansion was 
ready lighted up in anticipation of the visitors and the 
son, who had been so long away across the great 
ocean. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


n 

The great doors were thrown open and a multitude 
of servants thronged out to attend them. There was 
a tender meeting between Barry Crowningshield and 
his parents, his two sisters, and a pretty cousin. Then 
Mr. Barry was introduced, and as Barry Crowning- 
shield had written of the intended visit of his new 
found relation, they were prepared to receive him, 
which they did with open arms; then the party of 
ladies were introduced, and met with a most cordial 
welcome. 

Two suites of apartments, beautifully and taste- 
fully furnished, were set apart for the use of the 
ladies ; there were two lovely dressing rooms with cozy 
fire grates. The maids were furnished a sleeping 
apartment in the suite of rooms with Madame Foque, 
the French teacher; Phyllis and Elsie were also cared 
for, while Julien and the men were placed in a hotel 
near by. 

After a sumptuous dinner, the evening was spent 
in animated and interesting conversation and music. 
Then our party retired early, in order to be ready in 
the morning to begin a something over two days' 
journey in a heavy, slow-going stage coach. 

+ # ^ 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE JOURNEY — A MEETING YOUNG LOVERS FIRST 

LESSON. 

The stage or road coach of this day was strong 
and well built. The ladies were placed inside ; on the 
first seat, their backs to the driver, sat Miss Hamilton 
and Kathryn ; on the next, Lady Hawren and Mrs. 
Edmonds, while Madame and Hortense, Lady Haw- 


72 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


ren’s new maid, occupied the back seat. The old 
coach went lumbering along the highway, followed by 
the hackney-coach with the attendants and the lug- 
gage. 

Mr. Crowningshield and Julien, mounted on fleet- 
footed horses, rode gracefully along, sometimes beside 
the coach conversing pleasantly with the ladies and 
pointing out objects of interest, or dashing ahead; at 
other times following behind the hackney coach. 

They stopped at a wayside inn for a noon meal 
and found most excellent accommodation, and bespoke 
a fine dinner and elegant rooms for the ladies. 

At the gentle hour of twilight the rumbling old 
coach drew up’ at the inn. A group of men and boys 
of different classes stood around to watch the pas- 
sengers descend from the coach. The ladies entered 
the parlor, followed by the eyes of the gazing multi- 
tude. There was a glowing fire on the hearth, and 
being a little cold, they drew up and sat for awhile 
around the fire before going to their several apart- 
ments to prepare for dinner. 

A sensation had been created by the arrival of so 
many beautiful American ladies ; a great interest was 
manifested, and by the time dinner was announced, 
many more persons gathered in, all on the qui vive, 
with open eyes and gaping mouths, to see them pass 
into the dining-room. 

The ladies thought: “Truly this inn is well patron- 
ized.” Entering the coach, they were soon on the way 
again, unconscious of the great interest they had 
excited. 

Although the morning was cold, they were quite 
comfortable in the coach with their luxurious wraps 
and robes. Presently Hortense laughed out merrily: 

“What now, Hortense ?” asked Lady Hawren. 

“Oh, Miladi ; I vas mudge amuse !” 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


73 


“Why, Hortense, what can be so very amusing to 
you, as to occasion you so much mirth, when the 
rest of us, it seems to me, are rather serious ?” asked 
Kathryn. 

“Pray tell us,” said Annie, “and let us join you in 
your mirth.” 

“Oh, Mam’sell — Mees — vair many shentlehommes 
were deesappoint dees morning at de een, you call 
him?” 

“Yes, inn, Hortense. How was that?” asked Annie. 

“Zey were vair mudge charme to zee so mudge 
beautiful Merican ladees last eefning; dey vish to zee 
dem again dees morning, ad breakfast, and zee dem 
entare de statch-cooch.” 

“How know you this?” asked Lady Hawren. 

“Miladi, ze fille de chambre telled me zhust pefore 
leaving, zee shentlehommes sed oop-oop-ah ! — Toute 
le unit — what you call eem?” 

“All night,” corrected Annie. 

“Ees, ees, all zee nide roon ze fire; dere was nod 
nufif beds in zee een for all zem, zey haf sed oop roon 
zee fire; if zey goed ome zey vould nod zee Merican 
ladees entare zee dining-room, and entare zee statch- 
cooch.” 

“Great Heaven !” exclaimed Annie, “sat up all night 
around the fire !” 

“People who live in the vicinity, I suppose,” said 
Mrs. Edmonds, “and maybe not accustomed to see 
many ladies.” 

“Oh!” said Kathryn; I am glad I had my face 
closely veiled.” 

“So had we all,” replied Annie. 

“Zat ees eet! zey was deespoint so,” said Hortense, 
laughing. 

“Did any one ever hear of such a piece of impudence 
and folly?” said Mrs. Edmonds. 


74 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“It is well enough they were disappointed,” said 
Annie. 

“I am glad they were!” exclaimed Kathryn, indig- 
nantly, “I am not going about over this country for a 
shjow ; and will hereafter keep my veil more closely 
drawn than ever.” 

“See that you do, darling,” said Lady Hawren, 
with a gentle smile at the indignation displayed by the 
girls. 

There was this morning an addition to their num- 
ber — a Scotchman on the seat with the driver — a 
voluble man who was well acquainted with the scenes 
along the way, and pointed out to them many places of 
interest, when Mr. Crowningshield happened to be in 
advance or in the rear. When noon began to draw 
near, Mr. Crowningshield and the page set off in a 
gallop and ordered a fine repast for them by the time 
the coach should arrive. And after enjoying the re- 
past and a little much-needed rest, they again took 
th,eir seats in the coach and resumed the journey. 

Mr. Crowningshield, now riding alongside the coach, 
said to Miss Annie: “Miss Hamilton, we now enter 
upon the extensive grounds of your cousin, Lord 
Drysdale, embracing the beautiful Lake Windemere.” 

“Yes? is that Lake Windemere we can now see 
gleaming in the distance on our left?” 

“Yes, that is the lovely lake ; and you will later have 
a fine view of the Manor House, or Drysdale Chateau, 
as it is called, also a better view of the lake. The 
chateau is beautifully situated on the head of Lake 
Windemere; we will stop over night just a few miles 
beyond, at Ambleside Inn, on Lord Drysdale’s prem- 
ises. You can now see the turrets and gables of the 
Manor House at a distance.” 

“Yes, yes! thank you Mr. Crowningshield, it will 
afford me great pleasure to have a good view of Cou- 
sin Hugh’s place of nativity.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


75 

While Mr. Crowningshield and Annie were con- 
versing on the left, Kathryn was getting restless. 

“Mother,” she said, it is getting quite warm in here ; 
will you not allow Hortense to drop this window for 
me, that I also may have a view of the scenery? Re- 
member, ma mere , I was never before in Merrie Eng- 
land, and so much wish to look upon the beauties of 
nature.” 

“Certainly daughter ; only be careful you do not get 
cold/’ 

While Mrs. Edmonds and Annie were having a fine 
talk with Mr. Crowningshield, and Madame and Hor- 
tense were jabbering French in the back of the coach, 
the road began to be rough, and he was forced to drop 
behind. 

“Oh!” exclaimed Annie, as she was thrown with 
nearly all her weight onto Kathryn. 

“Annie!” cried Kathryn, “if you do not stop pitch- 
ing on me, I shall shove you out this window .” 

Just then the coach with a sudden lurch threw Kath- 
ryn quite into the arms of Annie. “Oh, Kathryn!” 
cried Lady Hawren reprovingly. 

“This is a steepy, break-neck road,” observed Mrs. 
Edmonds, who was in vain trying to keep her seat. 

“Never mind Kathryn!” said Annie: “if you had 
received the fierce encounter that my poor head has 
met with, against this upright, back here, you would 
be wishing someone would put you out,” said Annie, 
with a rueful countenance, vigorously rubbing the 
back of her head. 

“This road should be called the rocky highway,” 
observed Mrs. Edmonds. 

“Oh !” cried Annie, as if frightened, “do not speak 
of the highway; it suggests to my mind the daring 
highway robbers who infest this part of the world.” 

“I think it would lend at least a little variety to the 
scene/’ said Kathryn, “to have a handsome highway- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


76 

man dash up and demand, ‘Your money or your lives.’ 
It would relieve the monotony, which is becoming irk- 
some.” 

“Oh, del!” exclaimed Madame, from the rear. 

“Eh ! Madame ; are you so very much afraid of 
highwaymen ?” asked Kate. 

“Oh, Mon Dieu! ma petite, do you vish dat ve 
should all ’ave our troads cud? Oh, Ciel!” cried Ma- 
dame in terror. 

“You know,” said Annie, with a sly wink at Kath- 
ryn,” that these highways are infested with bold and 
skilful robbers.” 

“Oh, yes; mounted on fine horses, and wearing 
broad hats with plumes and magnificent cloaks, and 
daggers, and pistols, Madame,” continued Kathryn, 
addressing the French teacher. 

“Oh, Ciel! ef dose highway-mans zhould dash oop 
vid dose pistolees — Oh 00 !” she screamed. 

“Et les couteaux!” exclaimed Hortense, also ter- 
rified at the thought. 

“In times past, it is said, many of them were men 
of good families, well educated and perfect gentle- 
men in manners ; yet were a terror to all men,” said 
Mrs. Edmonds, placidly. 

“It appears, though, that their vivacious gallantry 
won the hearts of all women,” returned Annie. 

“And they were to be seen on every highway and 
main road ; and, of course, we’ll meet some before our 
journey is done,” said Kathryn ; “they are said to be 
dextrous with their swords and pistols.” 

“Sancta Maria, save us from dese highway-mans!” 
cried Madame. 

“Oh, Madame,” said Kathryn, “they never hurt 
ladies ; but only ride up, and in the most courtly man- 
ner demand your purse, or your jewels; and mayhap 
he would suffer you to redeem these, by dancing a 
coranto with him on the heath.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


77 


“ Ma foi ! to thing of danzing vid a highway-mans. 
Oh, miladi ; I zhould die, me — mais if ee vas a shent- 
Iehomme, dat es different; to danze vid a shentle- 
homme/’ said Hortense shrugging her shoulders. 
“Ah, vid de pistoles and le grand couteau!” cried Ma- 
dame. “Vraiment ! non,* non l” 

Now the road was smoother and they dashed out on 
an ‘open plain. 

It was growing late, and Mr. Crowningshield and 
Julien cantered on to order dinner and secure rooms 
at the inn. They were all getting tired enough to 
rest. Kathryn removed her hood and veil and lounged 
back among the cushions and soft wraps. Now she 
hears a noise as of someone approaching from behind ; 
and suddenly thrusts her head out to see what it might 
be, for they were all thoroughly awake to all that 
transpired, everything being novel and strange to 
them. Leaning out of the window as far as 
she well could, with an expectant look on her face, 
her hair dishevelled, and falling in golden-brown 
showers over her shoulders, she suddenly came face 
to face with two cavaliers. Encountering the full 
gaze of the two knights, she drew back, with a crimson 
face. 

Raising their plumed hats, the knights bowed to 
their saddle-bows ; and as they were going in the 
same direction with the coach, they were some time in 
passing, and thus had good opportunity to observe 
the inmates. 

These were followed by two gallant squires, no 
doubt aspirants for the golden spurs of knighthood. 
Four men followed these, bearing the arms of the 
knights and leading the sumpter mules ; one held on 
high a pennon, gracefully streaming in the gentle 
breeze. Hard after came twenty sturdy yeomen, well- 
armed, wearing a uniform of dark-green cloth, black 
silk hose and low shoes. 


]EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


6 * 

Now, Kathryn had, while the knights were passing 
Ithe coach, ample time to observe their dress, especially 
that of the knight who rode slowly along next to the 
coach, by her side as it were, for some distance. In 
the first place he rode a magnificent black charger ; the 
ample folds of the knightly housings were of fine 
crimson velvet richly embroidered and fringed with 
gold. A cloak of fine cloth, with crimson lining, 
(fastened on the left shoulder with a brooch set with 
brilliants, hung gracefully about his superb figure, 
almost concealing his person. The plumage from his 
hat curled charmingly over a mass of sunny curls 
which lay upon his shapely shoulders. He carried 
himself with majestic grace. His riding cloak falling 
away in front, displayed an ivory-mouthed bugle at 
his side, richly carved. Between three bugle-horns 
richly embroidered on the breast of his coat there 
appeared a ferocious-looking beast, skulking, vul- 
nerated in the neck by a broken spear; and the same 
figure appeared on the pennon, also on the breast of 
each of his men. This knight of the golden locks 
spoke kindly to the driver and to the worthy Scot 
beside him, who it appears was one of his retainers. 
To the latter he said: 

“So you are getting back towards home, I see, Mr. 
Maclain” ; his voice in rich accents fell on Kathryn’s 
ear like music, welcome and grateful. 

“Aye, aye! me Laird,” replied the Scot, “and its 
glad I am to be getting that ways ; for there’s nae 
place for tha gude mon like ‘is ain ingle neuk.’ ” 
After they had all passed, the Scot said to the driver, 
in a voice the ladies could distinctly hear : 

“Ah, mon ! there rides tha bonniest Laird that lives 
i’ auld Scotia te-day, and there be mony a Laird i’ 
Scotland, too, but niver ae other like to yon. Aye, 
he’s an ither kynde to the auld Laird wha’s dead noo, 
some six month syne. Aye, tha auld Laird was that 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


79 


close noo ; belaved in hauding wat ee ad, and letting 
eke ane take care o’himsel. He leted tha puir tenants 
live i’ tha hovels, and taked a’ tha rents ee could o’ 
them, puir sauls. His sister, puir leedy, ad married 
ae Leftenant i’ tha armie, some fifteen years syne, 
mebbie it was, thae auld Laird was that mad ee would 
niver ’ave any thing to do wi’ her mair, til tha Lef- 
tenant was killed r tha battle ; then tha puir leedy war 
left alone, save for thae wee laddie, her bairn. Fi- 
nally tha Laird, seeing ee was er own brither, fetchit 
her wi’ her bairn to live i’ tha auld castle, but ye weel 
ken he was that close ee ad dismissed a’ tha servants, 
tha ousekeeper and a’ save tha auld steward and is 
wife, to do a’ tha work abune tha great auld castle ; 
then putit is own sister to keepin ’ouse to spare ex- 
penses. The puir leedy ad been bringit up like a 
princess ’erself, but noo she maun take tha place of 
'ousekeeper, and ee saving money a’ tha wiles. But 
ee died, ee did; and ye sould see tha differ noo, tha 
castle fu’ o’ servants to do er biddink and tha puir 
laddie bairn, dressed i' gret style, ’as a tootor noo, like 
a laird’s son, and is noo page to me Laird, him but 
noo passing by. Him a bit behing tha Laird, on the 
white palfrey sae fine. Aye, ee’s page to me Laird 
o’ Weirwolf. Aye, things be differ noo ; thae money 
tha auld laird saved up goes free enou’ now ; the 
tenants’ ’oouses a’ repairit. A’ is differ noo. But ae 
wilfu mor maun hae his way !” 

The ladies all had some remarks to make on the 
knights and their attendants. Kathryn listened at- 
tentively to what was said ; then, drawing a long 
breath, she spoke as if just aroused from a brown 
study : 

“Mother, when do you think you will finish that 
bit o’ lace you are doing for my bridal corsage?” 

Lady Hawren looked demure. 

“What think you, ladies,” continued Kathryn, with 


8o 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


sparkling eyes and rosy cheeks; ‘‘mother is knitting 
on a piece of lace which she says is designed to adorn 
my bridal bodice. She learned the art in St. Cath- 
rine’s Convent School in Paris. She made good prog- 
ress for awhile, but now I begin to suspect that she 
is resorting to Penelope’s artifice in order to gain 
time on me and hold me single till on the verge of 
old-maid-hood — but her finesse will do her no good; 
for oh! I have found my knight! I have met my 
fate!” 

“Oh,” said Annie, “do you claim the knight of the 
golden locks ?” 

“Oh, yes ; indeed, I do ! He’s my knight.” 

From the inn that night Mr. Crowningshield sent 
an express to Fleetwood Castle, by way of a short cut 
through the country, to notify Mr. Cadwalader Lang- 
horn, the old seneschal or high steward, that they 
would be in Carlisle next day noon, and to send the 
family coach to meet them, as Fleetwood lay full ten 
miles to the left of Carlisle, off the stage route. 

Next morning their route lay in a mountainous re- 
gion. A high mountain lay to their left, a beautiful 
lake of water to their right. 

Mr. Crowningshield rode alongside and said : 

“Ladies, see that long lake lying toward yonder 
mountain ?” 

“Oh, yes, yes !” they cried. 

“That is Ullswater; and this high point you see to 
the left is Mount Helvellyn. We now cross the bridge 
of Clifton and enter on the confines of an estate be- 
longing to Lord Clifton, a grandson of the noble Lord 
of Fleetwood ; we then come to the Pass of Dunmail- 
raise, and will pass the monument of Dunmail, the last 
King of Cumberland. Away in the distance to the 
left you see the high point called Saddle-back.” 

How they enjoyed the scenery among the hills and 
lakes of Cumberland! Along Eamont’s winding way. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


gl 


crossing Eden River, they pass through Kirkoswald’s 
verdant plain and over Ithring's mead ; through Pen- 
ryth on to Carlisle, where they arrived a little after 
noon and had ample time for a good rest, which was 
much appreciated by the ladies. Presently the coach- 
and-six from Fleetwood drew up, followed by a nu- 
merous retinue — postillions, outriders, and footmen, 
all in livery. These were soon followed by a large 
road wagon for the luggage and servants. 

Entering the lovely old coach ’mid its luxurious fur- 
nishings of furs and soft cushions, the ladies found 
themselves much more comfortable than they had been 
in the old stagecoach, and, though the air was cold 
and crisp, they found the ten-mile drive most delight- 
ful. The way led through a fine old forest, the mighty 
trees here and there making a canopy overhead by the 
interlacing of their branches. At a great distance now 
they were able to see the castle, which was pointed out 
to them by Mr. Crowningshield, ambling along beside 
the coach. It appeared to be surrounded by a forest, 
for only here and there could be seen the points of 
turrets, the main tower, and the donjon. Again the 
view is changed ; the castle appears to be situated upon 
a high cliff, altogether inaccessible ; then here they 
were confronted by a winding river. 

Turning to the left and winding down this small 
river, they soon come to a crossing. Rattling over the 
pretty rustic bridge, they enter a long lane ; a strong 
stone wall on the right enclosed a beautiful park, while 
on the left lay the valley farmlands of Fleetwood, 
dotted here and there with cottages ; a picturesque vil- 
lage lay in front of them, about three miles distant. 
Turning in at a pair of great gates on the right, front- 
ing the castle, they had a fine view of the place, with 
the great battlemented walls frowning down on them. 

An immense entrance was protected by two round 
towers of great strength. Above this on the barbican 


82 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


tower a shield was cut in the stone, and from a high 
turret floated in graceful folds a banner bearing the 
arms of the noble Earl of Fleetwood. The great round 
towers had been built as a protection against the re- 
sentment of enemies. In them were to be seen traces 
of Saxon workmanship. The castle itself was built 
of granite, in the old baronial style, and presented the 
appearance of an ancient fortress formed into a resi- 
dence replete with all the luxuries and splendors of 
the time. The towers rose to a # great height, especially 
the great square tower in the centre, under which was 
the Great Court or Hall of State. They dashed up the 
long avenue of fine beech-trees to the drawbridge, 
which now lay in permanent rest over the dry moat, 
the country being secure from the invasion of all foes 
by the peace and prosperity which reigned throughout 
the land. 

Entering the great gate, they passed under the port- 
cullis hanging high overhead. The old porter sat by 
the door of the lodge, fast asleep on duty. He had 
thrown wide the great gates and sat down to await 
the coming of the expected guests, but sleep had over- 
taken his weary eyes. Inside, on either hand, stood 
two forest giants, like sylvan sentinels, guarding the 
entrance. Crossing the courtyard, they drew up in 
front of a large square tower, beneath which was the 
great Hall of Entrance, while a martial salute thun- 
dered from the ramparts. 

They were met by a young man, a little heavy set, 
with dark hair and eyes, and a heavy moustache. He 
was not handsome, but commanding in appearance ; 
well groomed, easy and graceful in manner, with a 
patronizing or egotistic air. He was followed by the 
high steward and the housekeeper and her daughter, 
with a retinue of servants at their backs. 

“My dear Mr. Crowningshield,” exclaimed the 
young man, wringing the hand of the agent, “how very 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


83 

glad we are to have you back ! And, my dear sir, you 
are successful this time. My grandfather will be de- 
lighted.” 

“Yes, my Lord; success has at length attended my 
efforts ; and here is your cousin, Lady Hawren, my 
Lord Graeme,” he said, handing her from the coach. 

“My dear cousin,” he said, looking full into her 
beautiful face, “how glad I am to receive a relative 
whom I have so long desired to know! Truly, Crown- 
ingshield, you have done well.” 

“And this,” said Mr. Crowningshield, “is Lady 
Kathryn, daughter of your cousin, Lady Hawren.” 

“Truly, truly, Crowningshield, you have outstripped 
yourself ; you have far surpassed my expectations ! 
And we are cousins, too, are we not, Lady Kathryn?” 
he exclaimed, noting her youthful beauty. 

“Possibly, my Lord Graeme,” she returned, “in the 
third degree.” He pressed her hand and devoured 
her with his eyes. 

Then the high steward, Mrs. Macleod, and her 
daughter, Flora, were introduced to Lady Hawren and 
Kathryn. Flora was a beautiful blonde, just budding 
into womanhood, with soft, light curls playing about 
her rosy cheeks. Mrs. Macleod and Flora led them 
up a broad flight of steps to the suites of apartments 
that had been prepared for them, while Mr. Crown- 
ingshield assisted the others to alight, and introduced 
Lord Graeme. Two bright young maids, as near alike 
as could be, Hilda and Laura, led them away to their 
apartments. 

Lord Graeme led Mr. Crowningshield into a cheery 
sitting-room to meet the old earl, who was most anx- 
iously awaiting him. 

A very old gentleman reclined in an easy-chair ; his 
soft, gray locks lay about his neck. When Mr. Crown- 
ingshield entered the old man seized his hand most 
eagerly and cried : 


8 4 - 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Ah, Crowningshield, I knew that you would find 
her, my daughter’s heir, and bring her to me some 
day! But I have waited long, Crowningshield, and 
sometimes feared that I should never be permitted to 
see her after all. And is she truly here?’ , 

“Aye, aye, my Lord; I have found her and have 
brought her to you. You shall presently see her, for I 
can assure your lordship she is most anxious to meet 
you. She is a superb woman, and will meet your 
highest expectations.” 

Hastily, Lady Hawren and Kathryn attired them- 
selves to meet their grandfather, their French maids 
deftly assisting them. Then Flora, the blonde beauty, 
conducted them to the sumptuous drawing-room, and 
notified Mr. Crowningshield that the ladies were ready 
to meet the Earl. Mr. Crowningshield and Lord 
Graeme conducted them to the old Earl’s presence. 

“Ah, ma belle cousins!” exclaimed Lord Graeme, 
as he with Kathryn leaning on his arm followed 
Mr. Crowningshield and Lady Hawren to the bright 
sitting-room. “What a glorious acquisition to our 
family will be a number of bright ladies, all exquis- 
itely beautiful, too” — eagerly scanning her face — “so 
far as I have criticised.” 

“Do you then, my Lord, claim to be a connoisseur 
of beauty ?”• 

“Decidedly I am, my Lady.” 

The Earl received Lady Hawren with great warmth 
and emotion, and after embracing her he took her hand 
in his, saying: 

“How thankful I am to the Great Giver of Life that 
I have been permitted to live to behold your face, dear 
Lady Hawren ! And you are Margaret’s granddaugh- 
ter, and Lady Mary’s own daughter! Oh, if Lady 
Margaret could have lived to see this happy day ! But 
no, child, she has been dead four years.” 

“My Lord, here is my daughter,” she said, drawing 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


85 

Kathryn up nearer, “Kathryn Arranton.” Kathryn 
threw her arms about his neck. He embraced her and 
placed his hand upon her head, saying : 

“Lady Kathryn, prospective heiress of Hawren, may 
God’s richest blessings rest upon you.” 

His valet then placed him in his chair, almost ex- 
hausted. They gave the ladies chairs close up in front 
of him, then left them together for a long talk. 

“And this, Lady Hawren, is the only child you 
have ?” 

“Yes, my Lord; “the only one.” 

“Oh that she had been a boy and might become my 
heir, inheriting the title and estates of Fleetwood ; but 
no, the entail would prohibit that ! The entailed prop- 
erty goes to the heir male, unworthy though he be. 
Ah, Clifton, Clifton ! Poor boy ! How my heart has 
been crushed within me! Mary, you remember Clif- 
ton, the son of my only son, and heir to Fleetwood?” 

“Oh, no, grandfather; my name is Louise; your 
granddaughter Mary was my mother.” 

“Yes, yes; you are Mary’s daughter; she married a 
French captain and went to Paris. Poor Margaret, 
her mother, never got over it ! She advertised year 
after year for you, and at last died, thinking that all 
she had would revert to me, and thus go to Clifton. 
But it never should have been so. I would have turned 
the world upside down. I should have sent out 
agents to search every part of America had you not 
been found.” 

“In our wild home in the West,” said Kathryn. 

“Yes, darling. He is bound to inherit my estates, 
all that are entailed ; there is no help for that. It 
would not be so if I could help it ; but the law of 
primogeniture gives it to him with the title. Fie is the 
only son of my only son, and will be heir in spite of all 
I can do; and, besides being Lord of Clifton, a fine 
estate in Westmoreland, inherited from his father, he 


85 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


has fallen heir, by the unexpected death of an uncle on 
his mother’s side, to a barony in Scotland, on the Esk, 
some fifty miles away ; and by the law of primogeni- 
ture would also have inherited the Hawren estates as 
well if you, Lady Hawren, had not happily been 
found.” 

Lady Hawren, to avert his mind from his sorrows, 
thought to change the subject of conversation by ask- 
ing: 

“Grandfather, how is your health? Can you yet 
walk around, and do you see without the aid of 
glasses ?” 

“I used glasses for years, Mary, but do not now re- 
quire them ; my sight grows better by age. And now 
I use no stick in my walks, but always lean upon the 
arm of someone. I have discontinued my strolls in 
the grounds ; it is no longer safe for me to walk out. 
Gaston says he can protect me from all assaults ; but 
it is too dangerous.” 

“Gaston is your grandson and heir, is he not?” 

“He is my grandson, Mary,” mistaking her for his 
granddaughter, Mary, her mother; “but I am sorry to 
say he is not my heir. Gaston is the son of my young- 
est daughter. Perhaps I never told you, Mary ; I was 
twice married. My first wife had but one child, Mar- 
garet, your ” He paused to think. 

“My grandmother, my Lord ; I am Louise, not 
Mary.” 

“Yes, Louise, your grandmother was my oldest 
child; her mother died young and Margaret was all 
the world to me. But Louis Hawren came to us — he 
also was a Frenchman and distantly related to Mar- 
garet’s mother — married Margaret, and took her away 
to his home in Ayrshire, Scotland, lang syne. My wife 
died, and I went as a soldier and lived single for 
twenty years ; then at near sixty I married again, a 
daughter of Sir Reginald Clifton, who was my cousin* 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


8 7 


She brought me two children — a son and a daughter. 
The son of my old age, and idol of my heart, married 
Lady Ethellind Wynnewood, eldest daughter of the 
Baron of Weirwolf, a man of great wealth and high 
renown. I was charmed with this marriage, for it 
was desirable in every way — a family of Saxon blood, 
whose ancestry was traced back to the old Saxon 
kings. Then Marian, my youngest daughter, married 
a son of old Sir Gaston Graeme, over here at the Her- 
mitage. I should never have chosen a Graeme for a 
son-in-law, but Marian was determined ; and I dis- 
covered that they would marry in spite of me. He 
had no showing for a title, being the youngest son ; 
but I yielded, and she married at home. Poor girl ! 
She died in a few years, leaving an only child — this, 
my grandson, whom you met, but now Lord Graeme. 
He has no right to title, save through courtesy.” 

“But your son, grandfather; what became of your 
noble son ” 

Here Flora entered to notify Lady Hawren that the 
dinner hour had arrived, and the Earl said : 

“Lady Hawren, I shall remember your question, and 
to-morrow we will continue the conversation, as I 
shall retire now, as soon as I have had my dinner, here 
in this room.” 

“Then I will say good-night, grandfather, and will 
see you again in the morning.” She stooped and 
kissed his brow. 

Kathryn placed her arms around his neck, and, kiss- 
ing his cheek, said: 

“A sweet night’s rest, grandfather.” 

“Thank you, darling; thank you!” replied he; and 
they left the room. They met the old valet just out- 
side the door, returning to his charge; also a page, 
bearing the Earl’s dinner. 

Flora led them to the brilliantly lighted drawing- 


88 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


room. They noted her well ; she was tall and slender, 
a dimpled blonde, her face was white as china, with 
exquisite coloring, like a beautiful delicate rose; the 
soft ringlets of bright golden hair fell around her 
shoulders like a dash of sunshine ; she had a perfect 
mouth with rosebud lips, but one of her greatest 
charms lay in her smile, disclosing a double row of 
pearly teeth. She was graceful and airy as a sylph. 

At the drawing-room door she stepped aside and 
made them a graceful curtsey. They entered, and 
found already gathered Mrs. Edmonds and Annie, 
Mr. Crowningshield, Lord Graeme and Julien. 

The gentlemen rose, and Lord Graeme, offering his 
arm to Lady Hawren, led the way to the dining room 
on the opposite side of the great hall. The room was 
magnificent, the service elegant. The table was laid 
for eight, Lady Hawren’s party, Lord Graeme, and 
Flora, who was in every way shown as much courtesy 
as though she were mistress of the mansion. Lord 
Graeme led Lady Hawren to a seat at the farther end 
of the table; Julien, following close, placed her chair 
and seated her comfortably. Lord Graeme returned 
to the upper end of the table, where his own page stood 
ready to seat him. He motioned Mr. Crowningshield 
and Mrs. Edmonds to his left, while the butler seated 
Miss Annie next below Mrs. Edmonds, on Lady Haw- 
ren’s right. First on his right was Kathryn ; then 
Flora, then Julien. The butler attended in full cos- 
tume. Lady Hawren did the honors of the table with 
graceful ease. The dinner was excellent. Mrs. Mac- 
leod, with great consideration, had dinner served in 
the private dining-room, on account of their long 
journey, supposing them to be fatigued ; and had in- 
vited no guests, thinking it best to wait until they 
should have some repose before introducing any of 
the neighbors. Lady Hawren thanked her warmly for 
her consideration, feeling that under the circumstances 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


89 

they would greatly prefer to have no company. After 
repairing to the drawing-room, a few hours were spent 
most pleasantly with music and conversation. Some 
instruments of music were scattered here and there. 
Lord Graeme rose presently, saying to Annie : 

“Perhaps Miss Hamilton will favor us with a song/’ 

“I?” said Annie. “Do you think, my Lord, that I 
sing?” 

“I heard of your fine voice, Miss Hamilton, before 
I ever met you, and am truly desirous to listen to you.” 

“My Lord, you heard of my voice! Aha, Mr. 
Crowningshield, have you happened to mention my 
poor ability in writing to your friend?” she asked, 
turning to Mr. Crowningshield, who was near Mrs. 
Edmonds, as usual. 

“Truly, Miss Hamilton* I did, not wishing to have 
the family taken my surprise and completely over- 
whelmed.” 

Offering his arm, Lord Graeme led her across the 
large room to the richly carved clavichord, the best 
keyed instrument of music in use in those days. She 
sang ; her well-trained voice, rising and swelling, filled 
the room with melody. 

She then asked Mrs. Edmonds to play, while she 
and Kathryn would sing a duet. The young ladies 
sang well together ; Kathryn had a mellow contx^to 
voice, which chorded well with Annie’s rich soprano. 

Now, the ladies being quite exhausted from the 
effects of their journey, Mrs. Macleod and Flora con- 
ducted them to their apartments, where their maids 
were awaiting them. 

“What has become of Madame, Marie?” asked Lady 
Hawren. 

“Ah, Madame, she ees fatigue; she haf retire, Mi- 
ladi!” returned Marie. 

“And Phyllis, Marie?” asked Kathryn. “Where is 
poor old Phyllis?” 


90 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Ah, le noir! She haf retire aussi. She haf rheu- 
matees, she call him.” 

Kathryn had never slept away from her mother ; and 
as their suites joined and their dressing-rooms were 
separated by a portiere only, she remained with her 
mother, while Hortense and Marie assisted them in 
disrobing. 

“Oh, mother,” cried Kathryn, “I do love Flora ; she 
is the sweetest creature ! Who is she, anyway, mother? 
She appears to be mistress of ceremonies, and is so 
different from her mother. Indeed, it does not seem 
possible that Mrs. Macleod can be her mother. Oh, 

she’s the dearest, sweetest Mother, do you not 

think she is just a fairy?” 

“She is a sweet, pretty girl, Kathryn ; we will find 
out more about her perhaps/’ replied Lady Hawren, as 
Hortense drew off her rich black pelisse. 

“Oh, she just cannot be a servant!” cried Kathryn, 
while Marie drew on her soft nightrobe. 

“Her mother is housekeeper in grandfather’s estab- 
lishment. I suppose there has been no lady of the 
house since the death of my grandmother, so they 
have managed everything, dear.” 

“But, mother, Flora is so unlike her mother,” per- 
sisted Kathryn. 

“True; she no more resembles her mother than you 
resemble me.” 

“Ah, mother! Why am I not just like you? Then 
I should be so charmingly pretty, ma mere!” 

“Darling, you are like your father; that, I think, is 
much better, for I think of him whenever I look into 
your eyes and stroke your gold-brown hair,” returned 
she, caressing her lovely daughter. 

“I am glad, then, that I am like my father. — Marie, 
now arrange my hair for bed. — I am Scotch, then, 
mother, while you are French ; is it not so?” 


EARL OR FLEETWOOD gt 

“True, to some extent ; your father was pure Scotch, 
while I am French-English.’ 

“Oh, Hortense, would not you like to be a bonnie 
Scotch lassie, like me?” exclaimed Kathryn playfully. 

“Me, Scoottch lazzie? Nevaire! I zhould be Fran- 
qaise, I, meme. Mais, I lige to be Englaise Ladie, lige 
your mudder, Miladi. Zat vould nod be so bad. Zen 
I lige ze English shentlehomme, vair mudge ; he ess 
nice !” 

“Ah, Hortense, you should not look too high! A 
Scotch yeoman should do you,” said Kathryn. 

“How is Madame pleased, Marie, since her arrival?” 
asked Lady Hawren. 

“Eh, Madame ees vair much delight !” 

“Mother, is not grandfather so nice ! And may I 
not go with you to see him in the morning again?” 
asked Kathryn anxiously. 

“Oh, certainly, if you wish it !” 

“And, mother, did you notice Lord Graeme is so 
nice to Flora, and treats her just as a sister?” 

“Yes ; it is nice in him to show her so much cour- 
tesy. I suppose they have been brought up together, 
maybe from infancy, and he feels as a brother would 
toward a sister; something as it is with yourself and 
your Cousin Edwin.” 

“Oh, yes ; dear Ned ! How long it is since I saw 
him! Oh, mother, must I go sleep away from you?” 

“Yes, darling; you have delightful apartments of 
your own; now take charge of them. Take her in, 
Marie.” 

“Then, mother, go with me and see my apartments ; 
they are exquisite.” 

Lady Hawren, although robed for bed, went with 
her. Marie drew back the heavy wine-colored drapery, 
disclosing Kathryn’s bedroom with hangings of rich 


92 ! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

wine-colored velvet, heavily fringed with gold-colored 
s ilk. 

“Let us go into your dressing-room, darling; I will 
see your boudoir to-morrow/’ A little fire was 
sparkling in the grate. 

“How lovely it all is, mother; almost if not quite 
equal to the lovely rooms in your uncle's grand Hotel 
in Paris/’ 

“It is altogether lovely, darling ; I trust you may be 
happy here, with such pleasant surroundings,” said 
Lady Hawren. 

“Oh, I am happy, mother! And what do you think 
of Lord Graeme? He is your cousin, also. How do 
you like your cousin, mother?” 

“Do not ask me, dear; I do not know yet what I 
think of him. Now, my dear, you must go to sleep. 
Your rooms are very elegant. I will look into your 
boudoir in the morning. I suspect it is a counterpart 
of my own.” 

“Mother, I believe there is just a portiere between 
them ; if so, we can draw it back and throw the rooms 
into one — they must have been made for just us. 
Good-night, mother!” she said, kissing her, then ran 
into her bedroom and clambered up on the high bed. 
“Now, mother, will you let Marie loop back the hang- 
ings between us? Then we will not seem to be so far 
apart.” 

“Yes, darling. Good-night!” 

“Thank you, mother. Good-night !” 

CHAPTER VII. 

A TALK WITH GRANDFATHER. 

“Even now,” thought Bertram, passion stirred, 

“I called on hell, and hell has heard! 

What lack I vengeance to command, 

But of comrades, such a band? 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


93 


This Denzil, vow’d to every evil, 

Might read a lesson to the devil. 

Well, be it so! Each knave and fool 
Shall serve as my revenge’s tool!” 

Next morning Kathryn was up early. Throwing on 
a heavy stuff robe of soft wool lined with cardinal silk, 
she sat by the fire while Marie drew on her hose and 
shoes ; then fled into her mother’s sleeping apartment 
and aroused her with a kiss, saying: 

“Mother, mother, get up, so that we may go out and 
look all over this lovely old place ! And we are to see 
dear grandfather again this morning.” Then, dashing 
through her mother’s boudoir, stopping there long 
enough to ascertain that this was separated from her 
own only by a heavy wall of drapery, she flew across a 
long corridor and tapped gently at Annie’s door. 
Annie, who was still in bed, thinking it was Elsie 
coming to build her fire, called out : 

“Come in ! Here I have awaited you for an hour !” 

Kathryn ran in through the sitting room, saying: 
“Oh, are you still in bed? You must get up now; I 
want you to rove all over this old place with me to-day 
and see what we can find.” 

“You’ll be sure to find many things such as you 
have never before seen, Kathryn,” said Annie, yawn- 
ing. “I thought you were Elsie come to make me a 
fire. Where can the girl be?” 

“Be up, Annie ; be getting up ! How splendid it all 
is ! Here is Elsie now ; she will have you a blazing 
fire in no time.” 

“Why are you so tardy, Elsie?” scolded Annie. 
“Where have you been ?” 

“Fs been in bed, Mis’ Annie ; ’deed I des now woked 
up. I was dat sleepy las’ nite I drap off to sleep, an’ 
des now woke,” said Elsie, a stubby, black negro girl. 

“I shall have you sleep near me, Elsie, where I can 
wake you of mornings.” 


94 


'EARL OP FLEETWOOD 


“Oh, Annie, get ready and go with me! What a 
fine time — what fun we will have ! I will run now and 
dress for breakfast. You must look your prettiest, 
for my new cousin is very nice ; do you not think so ?” 

“Indeed, he is !” Annie replied, with a smile. “But 
I am not going to rise till I have a fire, if I lose my 
breakfast.” 

The heavy hangings, dividing the drawing-room 
from the beautiful breakfast parlor, were drawn aside, 
disclosing a charming and inviting table, just as Lady 
Hawren and Kathryn entered. They found Mr. 
Crowningshield and Mrs. Edmonds already in the 
drawing-room, standing in an alcove looking from a 
window out on the garden ; that is, she was looking 
out ; but his eyes rested on her face. 

“I suppose we shall have a lovely view here, Mr. 
Crowningshield, a little later, when the cold frosts of 
winter have been driven away by the genial warmth 
of spring.” 

“Superb, madame! This is the finest garden in the 
country. We have a Frenchman who is a most excel- 
lent gardener, and who devotes his whole time to 
floriculture.” 

Now Flora entered, lovely as a poet’s dream. Kath- 
ryn embraced her, saying: 

“You sweet creature ; how I love you already !” 

“I am sure our love is mutual, Lady Kathryn,” re- 
plied Flora, returning the caress. 

“Oh, that I might express my love in so brave a 
manner!” said Mr. Crowningshield, moving toward 
the happy young girls, “and receive such an assur- 
ance.” 

“You might at least attempt it, Mr. Crowning- 
shield,” returned Kathryn, laughing. Mrs. Edmonds’ 
face, usually so white, assumed a roseate hue. 

Annie, descending the stairway, met Lord Graeme, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


95 

who was coming from the library. She curtsied low, 
and he offered her his arm, saying : 

“Miss Hamilton, allow me to escort you to the 
breakfast parlor.” 

“With pleasure, my Lord. I perceive all are in ad- 
vance of me this morning; surely, I have not kept 
breakfast waiting.” 

“No, no, Miss Hamilton ! I trust your night’s rest 
has been refreshing to you, and that you are restored 
from the fatigues of your long journey.” 

“I beg to assure you, my Lord, that I find myself 
quite refreshed and feel that I am perfectly restored 
to my former self, and am now ready for any adven- 
ture that may present itself,” she replied, as they en- 
tered the drawing-room and were greeted by the as- 
sembled party. 

Griffith, the butler, now inviting them to breakfast, 
he led her on to her place at Lady Hawren’s right. 
Lady Hawren approached the end of the table, where 
she was to preside over the tea and coffee ; her page 
stood ready to attend her. As he drew back her chair 
and placed a cushion for her feet he felt his arm 
grasped in no gentle manner. 

“Bress de Lawd, I’s dun find my li’le missy once 
more ! Get out de way, heah, honey ! I kin tak keer 
of her now, myself ; we’s done got home an’ I’s dun 
got ober the rumytiz. You’s been gallantin’ ’round 
longer nuff. Jes’ git out de way now !” and old Phyllis 
shoved Julien rather roughly to one side. 

“Why, Phyllis!” said Lady Hawren. “Are you 
going to claim your old place? Well, Julien, you can 
go and attend Kathryn and Flora, who are just enter- 
ing.” 

Petroneus, who was placing the chair for Lord 
Graeme, smiling in his sleeve, gave Julien a sly wink 
and said to him in an undertone : 

“Aha, my young sprig, you are browbeaten by 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


96 

Le Noir, as you call her.” Julien, with a rueful 
face and a sidelong glance at Phyllis, met the young 
girls and placed them at Gaston’s right hand. Petro- 
neus was a well-built lad, his brown visage and spark- 
ling black eyes showing him to be of gypsy blood. He 
was a remnant of a dismembered band, of which his 
father had been king, and had in some way fallen into 
the hands of Gaston, Lord Graeme, whose page he 
now was. 

The table was loaded with delicious food. The sil- 
ver service was magnificent, the glass bright and 
sparkling, the napery superb; all showing Mrs. Mac- 
leod’s ability as housekeeper. 

Immediately after breakfast Lady Hawren and 
Kathryn were conducted to the Earl’s sitting room. 
There they found the Earl surrounded with every 
comfort. He had just enjoyed a good breakfast, and 
the room had been arranged in anticipation of their 
visit. Lady Hawren advanced, and greeting him, 
said : 

“We have come to sit awhile with you, dear grand- 
father. Have you enjoyed your breakfast?” 

“Oh, yes ; very much, thank you, Lady Hawren, and 
am glad you have come thus early, for I was growing 
impatient to see you again. How have you rested?” 

“Quite well, I thank you, my Lord ; I feel much 
refreshed, and was most anxious to see and converse 
with you again.” 

“Have this chair on my right, Louise. And how is 
Lady Kathryn?” he asked, looking up into her bright, 
rosy face. 

“Dear grandfather, I feel quite well, thank you ; and 
I assure you I am glad to see your Lordship looking 
so well this morning,” she replied, kissing his brow. 
He had them placed near him. so that he could look 
upon their faces. Kathryn was seated at his left. He 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


97 

stroked her lovely brown hair, and looked admiringly 
from one to the other. 

“I am glad to have you sit with me, as I have much 
to say to you both.” 

“I understand that my grandmother died at this 
place about four years ago,” observed Lady Hawren. 

“Yes, Louise ; four years ago. While her two brave 
sons lived I felt that I had an heir in either, if other 
should die, worthy of the title and estates of our an- 
cestors. But the Lord saw fit to take them both in 
one day, in one battle.” The old Earl paused, and 
appeared to be looking into the past. Then went on: 
“You wish to know something of your grandmother, 
Mary. Well, when Louis Hawren married my daugh- 
ter, Lady Margaret, her dowry consisted of some fine 
lands lying along the Firth of Clyde, to which he 
added many more acres of fine lands and built up an 
excellent estate. The manor-house was a fine old 
building, but he built on, and added more to it, making 
it more into the style of a castle, with turrets, towers, 
and battlements ; for they long lived in the midst of 
ferocious foes. These lands now constitute one of the 
finest estates in western Scotland. Sir Louis did not 
live long after he had finished his building and improv- 
ing ; and Lady Margaret, on the death of her two sons, 
which was about fifteen years ago, came with her 
retinue and took up her abode here, in order to be with 
me in my last days. But ah, the will of the Lord be 
done ! She was taken away, and I am left here bereft 
of all my children !” The old man groaned. 

“Dear grandfather,” said Lady Hawren, “let me be 
as a daughter to you ; just as long as you live, it will 
be my delight to comfort and make you happy.” 

“And I, too, dear grandfather,” said Kathryn, 
gently stroking his long, silvery hair. 

“But your noble son, grandfather; my mother told 


98 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


me of him, and I supposed he still lived until Mr. 
Crowningshield told me of his death/’ 

“Aye, Mary. He was my idol. Clifton has been 
dead nineteen years ; his wife survived him only three 
years, leaving their only son, Robert Lord Clifton, heir 
to Fleetwood. And when Marian died leaving a son 
I had the two brought up here together. I always 
loved Clifton most. Gaston was notoriously bad, trou- 
blesome to the housekeeper and to his tutor. On the 
other hand, Robert was one of the very best of boys, 
never giving any trouble ; but after they grew up they 
fought and quarreled incessantly ; and as it turned out 
Clifton was the bad one, for he has proven to be enor- 
mously wicked. Ah me, who would have thought it ?” 

“My dear grandfather, where is Lord Clifton now?” 
asked Lady Hawren. 

“At the age of twenty he succeeded to a barony in 
Scotland, and must go to take charge of it. But before 
leaving, in his haste to become Earl of Fleetwood, he 
undertook to assassinate his old grandfather.” 

“You, my Lord? Oh, how could he be so cruel!” 
cried Kathryn, in dismay. 

“Oh, mercy, my Lord; surely you are mistaken!” 
exclaimed Lady Hawren. 

“No, Mary. I have every proof against him ; but 
the villain left immediately, and I have never seen him 
since, and hope I shall never see him again, as much 
as I have loved him. I sent him word never again to 
darken the doors of Fleetwood as long as I live. But 
he has had the audacity to attempt repeatedly to force 
himself into my presence. But I have never seen him, 
nor shall I ever see him again. When I am gone he 
will be master here. If it were not that the estates are 
fettered by entail, he would get nothing but an empty 
title ; I should leave all to Gaston, Lord Graeme, and 
to Lady Kathryn, who will doubtless be your heiress, 
Louise. But Lord Clifton’s prerogative will extend 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


99 


over the entire district, the vast domains of Fleet- 
wood. And now,” he said to Kathryn, placing his 
trembling hand on her head, “my fine girl, you will 
inherit a noble estate from your mother ; you will be 
a great heiress. Darling, should you ever see Lord 
Clifton, the viliain who attempted to take my life, who 
will be Earl of Fleetwood — and you doubtless will see 
him soon, for I am not long for this world now — with 
your beauty and prospective fortune he may wish to 
offer you marriage and thus unite the two estates of 
Hawren and Fleetwood. Promise me, dear, that you 
will never marry the base villain who has attempted to 
assassinate your old grandfather/’ 

“Oh, my dear grandfather, indeed, indeed, I do 
promise ! I could never think of marrying him ; no, no, 
never. I will never marry a man who would assassi- 
nate you, my grandfather — a man who would attempt 
such villainy !” Kathryn was excited ; her eyes blazed 
with indignation. 

“Thank you, Lady Kathryn,” he said, gently strok- 
ing her soft hand. 

“Now, dear, if you will just as willingly promise me 
that you will marry Gaston Lord Graeme, if he should 
ever ask you, I will take that promise, also; for it 
would please me much.” 

“No, no, darling; you cannot promise this — do not 
make too many promises ! There may be some mis- 
take,” cried Lady Hawren distressedly. 

“Well, well, then ; I am not so set on this as the 
other promise; but remember, child, it would please 
me much. For in case of Clifton’s death Gaston, who 
is next in the male line, would become Earl of Fleet- 
wood. And it would please me to know that you 
would some day become Countess of Fleetwood.” 
Kathryn blushed, and Lady Hawren said: 

“My dear grandfather, may it not be possible there 


ioo EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

is some mistake? May not Lord Clifton have some 
enemy ” 

“No, Louise; no! I have proof, positive proof. It 
was on the eve of his starting for Scotland ; he lin- 
gered around, as if dreading to go, and said he hated 
so to leave me ; and sent his men on some hours ahead, 
intending to camp about ten miles off on the river, in 
order to have a great hunt next day ; and the attempted 
assassination was after all thought he had departed. 
He had bidden me an affectionate farewell — the hypo- 
crite! — and pretended to have started away. I was 
strolling, as was my habit in the evening twilight, 
along the pleasant walk that leads from my door down 
among the trees and shrubs toward the postern gate 
when someone rushed upon me in the dusk of the 
evening. I could not see clearly, but heard the clang 
of his spurs, when Gaston fortunately happened to be 
coming in and rushed upon him. The villain turned 
and fled, no doubt thinking that he had finished me, 
for the coat I had on was cut into shreds almost. I 
recognized the coat and hat he wore as belonging to 
Clifton; but his face was concealed. We heard him 
ride rapidly away, and listened until the footsteps died 
in the distance. Next morning a dagger belonging to 
Clifton, which he highly prized as having belonged to 
his father, was found on the spot in the tall grass — 
there you will see it, dears, suspended over the chim- 
ney-piece. Indeed, that is proof enough, for he never 
allowed any one else to handle it. Gaston had gone 
out a little while before bird hunting, accompanied by 
one of his attendants, and had returned just in time to 
save my life, and was much astounded at what had 
taken place. Then after an hour a strange man 
stopped in, who said he was well acquainted with Lord 
Clifton and swore that he had met him about five miles 
away, riding furiously, with hat slouched over his 
face. And he was surprised that he neither looked at 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD ioi 

nor spoke to him, but dashed on his way. Lady Haw- 
ren, the proof was clear ; but he had gone on his way 
to his home in Scotland, and I never allowed anything 
to be said or done in regard to the matter. It was such 
a blow to me ! I had always loved the boy more than 
any one else. I made Gaston and his man Donald 
promise never to mention it to any one, upon their 
lives. The boys never liked each other, and were al- 
ways in trouble whenever Gaston was at home ; for he 
was often away, as he now is, for months at a time 
and no one knew where, and he would be at home 
scarcely a day before they were at daggers' points. 
I kept Lord Clifton in school most of his time, in 
order to keep them apart. Ah me, the misery of it, 
to think that so fine a lad should come to be so great a 
villain ! The longer I live the more determined am I 
that he shall never again come into my presence." 

“Oh, dear grandfather, may there not be some ex- 
tenuating circumstance?" cried Lady Hawren, in great 
anxiety. 

“Do not try to exonerate him, Louise. There is no 
forgiveness in my heart ; no, no ! I shall never forgive 
him. I sent him to travel on the Continent with a 
tutor of my own choice, and it was shortly after his 
return that he was notified of the death of his uncle. 
Then he and Gaston had a quarrel, and he was leaving 
next evening when he must make an attack on my 
life. I mean to have a new will written out, and 
everything on this place which is not included in the 
entail shall be left to Lady Kathryn, here — all my 
personal property, chattels — all ! But the massive 
plate, wrought with armorial bearings, with the old 
mahogany furniture and all the heirlooms, are entailed, 
and go to him. The splendid old French furniture, 
Louise, which you will find in the suite of rooms on 
the southeast side, is yours, having belonged to your 
grandmother, Lady Margaret, Baroness of Hawren. 


102 


EAR. L OF FLEETWOOD 


Those apartments are now yours, with all they contain ; 
you may take charge of them and use them as you 
wish. Lady Margaret at one time thought of making 
Flora her heiress, so much attached was she to the 
child ; but she died, still hoping to hear of you. Have 
you seen our little Flora ?” he asked, turning to Kath- 
ryn. 

“Oh, yes, my Lord ; and she is the dearest creature 
I ever saw ! Will you please tell us of her, dear grand- 
father ?” 

“Oh, yes; her mother came here with Lady Mar- 
garet fifteen years ago. Clifton and Gaston both being 
left orphans about that time, Lady Margaret and Mrs. 
Macleod, who was Lady Margaret’s companion or at- 
tendant, took charge of the little orphans and brought 
them up for me, and Mrs. Macleod has been a mother 
to them. After Margaret’s death Mrs. Macleod re- 
quested to be permitted to remain as housekeeper ; and, 
as the old housekeeper was quite old and feeble, she 
was permitted to retire, to live in quietude the remain- 
der of her days, and we were glad to retain Mrs. Mac- 
leod in that position. She has proven to be one of the 
finest managers I have ever seen. The poor woman 
has had some great trouble ; Lady Margaret never 
told me the particulars, but it was with her husband, 
who was a sea captain, and who died while the child 
was an infant. Mrs. Macleod has been as a mother to 
the boys, and felt she could not leave them. Flora has 
been brought up as a sister to them, and we love her 
very much. Lady Margaret, while she lived, saw per- 
sonally to her education and kept her in the convent 
school near by or kept a teacher in the house for her. 
She often spoke of adopting her and making her an 
heiress, and would have done so but for the hope of 
sometime finding her daughter or some of her poster- 
ity; she did leave her a good dowry. Flora has be- 
come very dear to us all, and has ever been kept above 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD, 


103 


her station as the daughter of an upper servant. She 
is the light of the home, Lady Kathryn, and I request 
of you and your friends, never allow her to feel the 
least humiliation on account of her mother’s posi- 
tion. She has been well brought up, and she and her 
mother have been at the head of the household for a 
number of years, no other woman on the place above 
them. The boys look on her as a sister, having been 
brought up by the same mother. Now, Louise, as the 
Hawren estate is in lease for some years yet and the 
lease is promptly paid up, making a splendid income, 
it is my wish that you and your daughter remain here 
with your old grandfather as long as he shall live.” 

“Oh, yes, grandfather ; we will gladly do that !” 
replied Lady Hawren. 

“It is my wish that you take charge now as mistress 
of Fleetwood Castle. Mrs. Macleod has a fine corps 
of servants at her command. And, darling” — to Kath- 
ryn — “you may take Flora as a companion ; she will 
love you, no doubt. She has long been the pet of the 
household, and her pet name is Dearest, by which she 
has been known in this home from her infancy by 
every member of the family, every servant on the 
place. She scarcely knew any other name until since 
the boys returned from abroad and found her such a 
grown-up young lady ; they are trying to break them- 
selves of using such an endearing term, and to call her 
Flora.” 

“Oh, thank you, my Lord ; thank you ! She is the 
dearest one, and I shall be delighted to have her com- 
panionship.” 

“Now, your Lordship must be quite tired out. Will 
you not lie down a little and rest ?” said Lady Hawren. 

“Yes, Mary. Will you ring for my attendant, dar- 
ling?” 

Kathryn touched a silver call bell, and the old valet 
soon appeared. The ladies withdrew, saying: 


104 


s EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Dear grandfather, whenever you feel like convers- 
ing we will come again and sit with you.” 

“Thank you, my darlings ; I shall be pleased to have 
your company at any time.” 

The afternoon was fine, and the ladies decided to 
spend it in rambling over the old building, as it was 
rather cold for outdoor exercise. Led by Lord 
Graeme, they went up to the armory, to examine the 
old pieces in the museum of curiosities. This was a 
large, long hall, hung with gilded arms, trophies, tapes- 
tries, and conquered banners. A great window looked 
out over a magnificent forest. A seat was here, con- 
structed in the embrasure, covered with a great, fleecy 
robe. On one side of the casement was a figure in 
plated armor, cap-a-pie, helmet closed; against the 
breast, held by the right arm, was a long sword, the 
point resting on the console, on which the ironclad feet 
rested, the crossed hilt coming up even with the head- 
piece. On the opposite side hung a figure in chain 
armor of more ancient date, a network of steel rings 
interlaced, of Oriental origin. Above this was a 
cuirass, and next a target, in which rested four bask- 
hilted swords. 

“And here,” said Lord Graeme, “is a dirk in scab- 
bard and with ribbon, worn by my uncle, Sir John 
Graeme. And this, a breastplate and shield of one of 
our ancestors, Lady Kathryn.” 

“Here, my Lord, is a crossbow with arrows ; and I 
perceive you have here musical instruments also. Is 
not this an old harp?” asked Annie. 

“Yes, ma’am; and this is a bagpipe with Scotch 
plaid.” 

“And what, my Lord, is this, so tall; is it not a 
spear ?” 

“Yes, Lady Kathryn; a missile to be hurled at an 
enemy in the distance; and this is a ponderous lance 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


105 


of the Middle Ages, and is nearly eighteen feet long,” 
replied Lord Graeme, handling a long lance. 

“Oh,” said Annie, “here are some old drinking cups, 
and a beautiful hunting horn !” 

“Yes,” he said, selecting a splendid drinking cup, 
“this cup belonged once to Charles II., and this fine 
hunting horn, carved with many names, is from the 
Old Hermitage Castle, and was a gift to me from my 
Grandfather Graeme. Here are cut-and-thrust Toledo 
swords.” 

“My Lord,” asked Lady Kathryn, “what is this 
short-looking knife ?” 

“That is a cuteau-de-chasse. And here, my Lady, 
is a mixture of fine arms and other articles — scimetars, 
cutlass, battle-axes, hawberks, escutcheons, breast- 
plates and shields. Here are Roman lamps, busts and 
bronze figures, antique spurs and buckles ; and a great 
club, or bludgeon, with iron spikes,” Lord Graeme 
went on explaining. 

“My Lord, this seems to be a hatchet at the end of 
a long pole, with a hook at the back,” said Lady 
Kathryn. 

“Oh, yes, my Lady; this is a Lochaber axe. They 
were formerly very much used in Scotland ; the hook 
was found convenient in scaling walls and other high 
places ; by fixing it to the wall, they would pull them- 
selves up by the long handle. They were also much 
used by the natives of Ireland, and are supposed to 
have been introduced from Scandinavia. Here are a 
broad-sword and battle-axe that were taken by my 
grandfather on the battlefield. And here, ladies, are 
fine antlers from the denizens of the forest ; you here 
see antlered skulls, trophies of the desperate chase, of 
which old vassals have told many tales ; and here are 
helmets and shields and axes of many different kinds, 
which hardy yeomen have handled to good purpose ; 
breastplates and other implements of war, with many 


10 6 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

banners of the vanquished foe. These are antlers of 
the red deer; and here are stag horns, jack-boots, pis- 
tols, Highland dirks, another target with swords, a 
black watch pistol, a genuine Andrea Ferara, a basket- 
hilt broadsword of fine steel, richly inlaid, an heirloom 
in the family, the belt plated with silver, and belonged 
to my uncle, Lord Clifton ; it is like the great sword 
of Wallace that hangs in the tower of Dumbarton.” 

“Oh, this is a beauty !” cried Kathryn, handling and 
examining a beautiful court sword and greatly admir- 
ing its symmetry and high polish, the richly jeweled 
hilt and finely wrought scabbard. “Oh, what a 
beauty! And all I see here in this space have the 
same crest. Were these your ancestors’? This is by 
far the finest collection we have seen, and more 
modern.” 

“All in this collection, from that window on, belong 
to Clifton, the outlaw, Lady ; let us pass on.” 

“No, my Lord; I must look at these! This is de- 
cidedly the finest collection yet,” said Kathryn. “I 
must examine these ; and you, my Lord, will kindly 
tell me about this outlaw, while I scrutinize more 
closely these splendid arms.” She was now examining 
a fine Damascus sword, on the blade of which were 
figures wrought in marquetry with small gems. And 
here is a lovely bugle, ornamented with the same crest, 
wrought in gold, ivory mouth, gold tipped. Oh, here 
are some curiosities in the way of drinking cups ; and 
some seem to be of most ancient pattern and work- 
manship. Now, my Lord Graeme, I must hear the 
story of this outlaw of whom you spoke.” 

“Then, my cousin, if you will come with me back to 
the window-seat we will sit on the robe, and I shall 
tell you of this desperate character, who is a member 
of this family.” 

Leaving the rest of the party deeply interested in 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


io; 

the fine collections, he led her to the casement, and on 
their way she said : 

“Oh, you surprise me, my Lord ! A member of this 
family now, and an outlaw ? I supposed he must have 
lived some centuries ago. He is not a proscribed out- 
law ?” 

“No, my Lady ; but should be, by all the laws of the 
country,” he returned, with a downcast look, as he 
placed her on the seat and sat down beside her. He 
then continued : 

“This Clifton, the outlaw, is my cousin — prospective 
heir to the Earldom of Fleetwood. He is not living 
here now, for he has inherited a barony in Scotland, 
and has gone to that country.” 

“Oh!” cried Kathryn, and a deep blush overspread 
her face, as she remembered the request her grand- 
father had made of her. 

“He is very proud ; a most impatient and arrogant 
fool — a thousand pardons, my Lady — and, wishing to 
become Earl of Fleetwood, thinking perhaps that our 
grandfather’s longevity was holding too long in check 
his lordly aspirations, on the eve of his departure man- 
ifested his desire to be rid of him by making an at- 
tempt on his life.” Gaston was looking on the floor all 
this time, and did not now raise his eyes. “I will take 
you in grandfather’s sitting room to-morrow and show 
you the very dagger he used,” he continued, looking 
off at the ladies and Mr. Crowningshield in the other 
end of the room. 

“Grandfather told us of this, my Lord; and I saw 
the dagger, hanging over the mantle, the hilt all jew- 
eled and enameled with the armlets of Clifton,” said 
Lady Kathryn, gazing on his face and wondering why 
he should not look at her. 

“I was gone on a hunting party,” he continued, “and 
returned just in time to save my grandfather’s life, 
which cannot now last very long ; and when he is gone 


io8 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


this place, and all here, will be ruled by this bigoted 
villain, and doubtless he will be wishing to marry you, 
my pretty cousin/’ He now raised his eyes to her face 
for a moment. 

f “He need not. I will marry no such man ; never !” 
Kathryn declared, with face suffused. “My Lord, you 
and grandfather seem to be troubled with the same 
fear ; but you need not, for I will never marry a man 
who has it in his heart to commit murder, if I know it ; 
especially one who would assassinate his own grand- 
father.” 

And now, as the others were leaving, they rose and 
followed. 


ejljs 


CHAPTER VIII. 

MEETING OF ANNIE AND GUY. 

“She was a phantom of delight 
When first she gleamed upon my sight; 

A lovely apparition, sent 
To be a moment’s ornament; 

Her eyes are stars of twilight fair — 

Like twilight, too, her dusky hair.” 

****** 

“A countenance in which did meet 
Sweet records, and promises as sweet !” 

In the great hall of Weirwolf Castle Lord Clifton 
sat, when his friend, Guy Brignol, returning from a 
mission on which he had been sent by the young baron, 
entered. 

“Welcome back, Guy, my friend!” said the baron, 
as he rose and shook warmly the hand of his messen- 
ger. “What news ? How is the health of my dear old 
grandfather?” he continued, as he led Mr. Brignol 
into his own private room and closed the door. 

“Be seated, Guy, and tell me all about your recep- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


109 


tion at Fleetwood, for I could scarcely await your re- 
turn to hear from my grandfather. This indignity is 
more than I can bear.” 

“They say that he is hale and hearty, my Lord,” said 
Guy, taking a seat. “I very much regret that I must 
say I have not seen the Earl of Fleetwood. I did not 
succeed in making my way into his presence.” 

“Oh, Guy ! And you have not seen him ?” 

“No, my Lord; and, besides, I received insults and 
very bad treatment, And they are all greatly rejoiced 
by the arrival of his Lordship’s great-granddaughter, 
the Baroness of Hawren, with her daughter, Lady 
Kathryn Arranton; and I do not know how many 
others, my Lord. There seemed to be a great number 
of attendants; the old place was running over with 
ladies, pages, French maids, and others.” 

“But, Guy, could you not see his Lordship himself, 
and ascertain the cause of this change, his sudden dis- 
like for me? And did he not grant me permission to 
come to visit him?” asked Lord Clifton, bowing his 
head in his hands upon the table. 

“Indeed, my Lord, I saw him not. It was impos- 
sible. He was closeted with his barrister, his agent, 
and his secretary, so they said; making over his will, 
my Lord Graeme informed me, and could not be inter- 
rupted.” 

“And could you get no word to him, Guy?” 

“No, my Lord; impossible! Gaston had left strict 
orders for no one from Weirwolf to be admitted; just 
as it was with your Lordship, when you were several 
times refused admission. And I think that even the 
ladies, sir, have been posted on the subject and are 
set against you.” 

The young Baron sat a while as if in deep sorrow; 
then, raising his head, he asked: 

“Did you meet the Lady — my cousin, Lady Haw- 
ren?” 


no 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“No, my Lord; I tell you, I was not permitted to 
put my foot inside the door, except in the housekeep- 
er’s room,” returned he, with indignation. 

“Guy, this is the greatest outrage I have ever 
known, and is all undoubtedly Gaston’s work.” 

“I had the pleasure, though — or misfortune, I know 
not which — to see her daughter — I’m sure it was she, 
Lady Kathryn Arranton ; Mrs. Macleod told me her 
name — the prospective heiress of Hawren.” 

“Did you, indeed, see the young lady?” 

“Aye, indeed, I did ; and was so unfortunate as to 
raise within her a perfect storm of indignation.” 

“How, now, Guy? I trust you have not been un- 
gallant or imprudent, though I know you too well to 
even question you, Guy, as to that.” 

“Not so, my Lord — at least, nothing of the kind was 
ever intended on my part. However, she must have 
mistaken me for someone else, some way. I was wish- 
ing to speak first to Mrs. Macleod, and came up in the 
small court. You know, Lady Margaret’s apartments 
are situated at the east end of a long colonnade, oppo- 
site those occupied by Mrs^ Macleod. I had started to 
see Mrs. Macleod, and when quite near the long steps 
leading to the colonnade I heard the tinkling of a lute 
and ladies’ voices in jesting conversation. A lady 
stepped out at the doorway of what we call your Aunt 
Margaret’s boudoir, just in front of me, stroking her 
nose and saying, ‘I inherited my nose, I suppose, 
from my Roman ancestors, ladies, and am not at all 
ashamed of it.’ My Lord, she has an immense nose ; 
but a perfect charm lay in her voice. After walking a 
little way, she faced around, seeing me standing be- 
side the great rose-bush near the steps. She must have 
thought I had been listening to their talk, else I can- 
not see why she should have become so indignant. I 
was all travel-stained, or dusty, and she may have 
taken me for a highway thief, or a smuggler, or some 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


nr 


such outlandish person. She flushed indignantly. At 
any rate, she knew that I heard what she said about 
her nose. My Lord, oh, she is queenly !” 

“What, Guy; an American queenly?” 

“Aye, my Lord ; oh, if you could have seen her rare 
dignity and the flash of her dark eyes, her pearly, 
peach-bloom cheeks! And she has a dainty, slender 
foot ” 

“How, now, Guy; how saw you her foot?” 

“Why, my Lord, I was standing on the ground, and 
she being just above me, as it were, walking along near 
the edge of the floor ” 

“But, Guy, you should not have taken advantage of 
the opportunity thus offered to look at the lady’s feet !” 

“Hout, my Lord! You are o’er nice — not take the 
opportunity! I can assure your Lordship I should 
have seen more of her pretty little feet if I had not 
found it impossible to keep my eyes from her face — 
her heavenly face !” 

“Heavenly face, Guy ; and such a large nose ?” 

“Oh, my Lord, her face was of such rare beauty 
that I noticed not her nose, and should not have been 
aware of its greatness had not she herself spoken of 
its size.” 

“Well, Guy, what had she to say after she saw 
you ?” 

“When she turned and saw me standing so near she 
flushed hotly. With as much politeness as I could 
command at the moment, my Lord, I raised my hat. 
Then she cried out indignantly, stamping her pretty 
little foot: ‘What are you here for?’ Oh, her hair is 
of midnight hue — ‘an ever fresh and sweet surprise’ — 
and her ruby lips and dreamy eyes ” 

“Oh, you are crazy already about her! What re- 
turn did you then make, Guy ; how apologize for your 
conduct ?” 

“I stammered: ‘Your pardon, Lady; I wish to — I 


1 12 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


have come to — I have a message for his Lordship, the 
noble Earl of Fleetwood/ 

“ ‘Indeed ! You have a message for him? No doubt 
you would like to deliver your message! You would 
like to assassinate him ! No, you cannot see him ! We 
have positive orders that he is not to be disturbed. 
Leave this instant, sir, or you will be arrested !’ 

“ ‘Dear Lady/ I said, ‘perhaps you do not know to 
whom you thus address yourself. I am ’ 

“ ‘I have no desire, sir, to know you. It is certain 
your presence is not required here/ 

“‘Your pardon! You mistake, Lady; I am not — 
I am ’ 

“ ‘I am not interested, sir, in who you are or who 
you are not/ and, turning, she swept me a grand curt- 
sey and returned into Lady Margaret’s boudoir, car- 
rying herself haughtily; she moved with stately step. 
What majesty was revealed in her carriage! True, 
her nose is prominent; but she has a small and firm 
mouth/’ 

“I think, Guy, that you are enraptured with her 
beauty. Cupid is represented as a small wight, but he 
works the mightiest of men.” 

“Oh, my Lord, I beg to assure you ‘this superficial 
tale is but a preface to her worthy praise/ ” 

“And, Guy, you were not allowed to enter — not 
permitted to speak to my grandfather?” 

“No, indeed, my Lord; and poor old Sandy, the 
footman, wept when he assured me I could not be 
admitted, in your behalf, to have speech of your grand- 
father. So also did Mrs. Macleod. All the servants 
are your friends, and very much regret the condition 
of affairs. But my Lord Graeme has all in his hands, 
and rules the place ; his own men are stationed every- 
where.” 

“This is an unheard-of indignity. I well know it is 
all Gaston’s work ; but how he could ever so impose 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


ii3 

upon my grandfather and so set him against me I can- 
not comprehend.’' 

“Aye, believe me, my Lord, it is all Gaston’s mali- 
ciousness.” 

“Gaston, Gaston! Why should you wish to work 
me such harm as to rob me of my dear grandfather’s 
love and confidence?” 

“Mark me, my Lord, it is by robbing you of his 
Lordship’s love and confidence he robs you of much 
else; and therein lies the cause. You know, my Lord, 
that his Lordship, the Earl of Fleetwood, can will 
away everything, save the title and the Fleetwood 
estates.” 

Leaning on the table, the Baron of Weirwolf buried 
his face in his folded arms. For some minutes he 
remained thus ; then, raising his head, he shook back 
his sunny locks, rose, and walked the floor with many 
a groan and sigh ; then, stopping in front of Guy, who 
had also risen, he said tenderly: 

“Oh, Guy, to what lengths will a man be led for 
the sake of filthy lucre! Gaston is welcome to the 
hoarded wealth of Fleetwood ; but to be robbed of my 
grandfather’s love is more than I can endure. To do 
this he must have resorted to calumniations of the 
vilest sort. The Earl has been grossly deceived, and 
they will allow me no means of exonerating myself.” 
He walked the floor in deep thought, then said : 
‘“Guy, this is my last effort ; and as we leave in a few 
days for London, where I shall be kept busy for a 
number of months, I shall in all probability never see 
him more. He will die without an explanation, with- 
out a reconciliation, and I shall never be permitted to 
see him again. Such an outrage is indeed hard for 
me to bear ! Oh, if I might see him again, and learn 
what he has against me that has caused this sudden 
change, it would be some relief! But it is Gaston, as 
you say, who has wrought this change, and he knows 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


'1 14 

that for me to have an interview with my grandfather 
would upset his plans completely.” 

“Yes, my Lord, it is as you say. Mrs. Macleod told 
me with tears streaming from her eyes, poor woman, 
that his Lordship, your grandfather, never steps out- 
side the door now. But, my Lord, there is the ‘bell 
that calls to lighted hall and friendly feast/ ” 

“Yes, dear friend, and I suppose you are both hun- 
gry and tired, after your long journey.” And arm in 
arm they left the pleasant sitting room to prepare for 
dinner. 


•fr ir ^ 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE BANSHEE’S VOICE. 

“The Banshee’s wild voice sings the death dirge before me; 

The pall of the dead for a mantle hangs o’er me.” 

At Fleetwood Castle how happily the days glided 
by! The Earl’s health continued to be fine; and as 
the bright spring advanced how pleasant it was for 
him to walk up and down in the great hall, with Lady 
Hawren and the interested Kathryn beside him, con- 
versing of days long gone by! For they never grew 
tired of hearing him tell of Lady Margaret and her 
daughter Mary, Lady Hawren’s own mother, who died 
so young and left her in a foreign land. She knew so 
little of England and her relatives. Day after day 
Gaston Graeme appeared to be more and more in love 
with his new cousin ; so much so that he could scarcely 
remain out of her presence, even during study hours, 
for now she spent several hours each day in study, 
Mrs. Edmonds giving her thorough training in instru- 
mental music, Miss Hamilton superintending the train- 


! EARL OF LEETWOOD 


US 

ing of her voice, and Madame drilling her in literature 
and languages. 

Ere they had been in Fleetwood three weeks Gaston 
had sought an interview with Lady Hawren, asking 
her permission to pay his addresses to Lady Kathryn ; 
which request Lady Hawren absolutely refused, say- 
ing: 

“My Lord, I cannot permit it. Kathryn is far too 
young to listen to a proposition of marriage, and she 
must pursue her studies unmolested.” 

He insisted, but she was firm. The truth was she 
had not liked him from the first, but felt an aversion 
for him ; she could not say why it was, for he seemed 
in every way a gentleman, was a most agreeable com- 
panion, and appeared most devoted to his grandfather. 

He had shown them all much courtesy, and on this 
pleasant day in early spring he had been conducting 
them through the great gallery of fine old paintings. 
They walked out into the court on the terraces, down 
the pleasant walks leading to the parks, all represent- 
ing much beauty and refined taste, and found the ex- 
ternal beauties and magnificence equal to the internal 
loveliness of the suites of rooms decorated in the ut- 
most elegance, the long corridors and grand stair- 
cases. Now they had returned to the sitting room. 
Lord Graeme, opening a large French window, invited 
Lady Kathryn out on a fine old classical portico, and 
said, as he led her to a rustic seat and placed himself 
beside her: 

“Let us sit here, cousin, and watch the Count at 
his work. Is it pleasant enough for you ; are you 
quite comfortable?” he asked solicitously. 

“Oh, yes, thank you !” she said. He drew her Ben- 
gal, or India, shawl closer over her shoulders, for it 
was growing late and cool, then regarded her with a 
look of ineffable love. Kathryn felt flattered by the 
attentions paid to her by the young Lord Graeme. 


ii6 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


She was gratified, and found it exceedingly pleasant to 
have a lover; she had never before received any 
marked attention from a young man, and Gaston was 
a most pleasant companion, a polished gentleman with 
most elegant manners, finely educated, sang well, hav- 
ing a rich sonorous voice ; his dark hair and eyes were 
becoming to him. She looked away over the garden 
and said : 

“My Lord, how is it my grandfather, being so old, 
has the garden kept in such good style, and has the 
beautiful ladies’ bower kept in such good condition, 
when he has for so long been deprived of feminine 
society ?” 

“My dear cousin, grandfather had in his employ an 
old French gardener, who had everything his own way 
for many years, a floriculturist by nature, who had an 
eye for the beautiful. He had this bower planned by 
an architect, after the ladies’ bower of the early days 
of Louis XIV. By the servants he was called 'Old 
Monzie,’ meaning, I think, Monsieur. The old man 
died a few years ago, but now we have another equally 
good, to whom my grandfather has given the appella- 
tion of 'The Count,’ because of his high pretentions; 
but he is a fine gardener, as you will soon be able to 
discern.” For a while she sat gazing out over the 
beautiful scene and he studying her beautiful face. 
For days he had made love to her on every occasion, 
although forbidden to speak to her on the subject. 

“Dear cousin,” he said persistingly, “you know it is 
our grandfather’s wish — his most earnest desire — that 
we should wed. Only think how happy it would make 
him, should we gratify this, his dearest wish, while he 
still lives! His happiness would be complete, his last 
desire gratified. He would bestow upon us his bless- 
ings and all else he has in his power to give, and then 
lay down his life in perfect peace.” 

“No, no, Gaston, I cannot; do not insist upon it! 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


ii 7 

My mother would never consent ; besides, I cannot 
love you in that way. I love you as a cousin, as a 
friend; I enjoy your company, but do not ask me to 
marry you. I have my studies to pursue, and am too 
young to entertain the thought of matrimony, even for 
one moment, my Lord,” she said, but did not look dis- 
pleased, and he rather felt encouraged. 

“Well, then, some time in the future; promise that 
you will be mine some day, sweetheart; only promise 
that some time, when it suits you, when you have 
learned to love me. Only say it, darling; promise; 
then I will be content, will go away and wait.” He 
took her hand, but she withdrew it instantly. He 
looked pleadingly into her face. 

“Why do you go away, my Lord? Why leave us?” 

“My affairs of interest compel me. You will not 
care. I may be gone several months ; may make a sea 
voyage and be gone even longer. I want your promise 
ere I leave you ; surely you will give it, darling.” 

“No, no ; wait until your return ! I will think of it.” 

“Oh, cruel, sweet creature! Must I then wait so 
long for one encouraging ” 

“Kathryn — my Lord — come in !” Twas Lady Haw- 
ren, who had approached the window. “Come,” she 
continued, “we are soon going to dinner. Come in !” 

She was never content to leave them together, even 
for a moment, and had instructed Marie to attend her 
mistress whenever in his company; but Marie had 
wandered off in the garden and was pleasantly chat- 
ting with the “Count.” Lady Hawren was gifted be- 
yond the ordinary with an intuitive cognition of man’s 
inmost nature. 

Now two months have elapsed. Lord Graeme had 
made the trip in the interests of his business affairs and 
returned about the middle of July. Next morning 
after his return the Earl of Fleetwood was found to 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


118 

be quite ill. A servant was dispatched to the village 
for Doctor Godkins, the family physician, who soon 
arrived and went immediately to work to relieve his 
noble patient, and soon pronounced him resting easy. 
Lady Hawren took her seat by the side of her grand- 
father and gave him her undivided attention. 

Doctor Godkins was a fine man, an eminent physi- 
cian, amiable and gracious. 

“Yes,” he said, when in company of the ladies that 
night, “I was young when I left my home near Loch- 
erly, Scotland — about twenty-one — and had just be- 
gun the practice of medicine and surgery.” A slight 
shade of sadness now passed over his face, usually so 
bright, but did not linger, for it was soon chased away 
with a smile. Next day the Earl appeared still feeble 
and not able to rise ; yet with no apparent distress or 
suffering. And at his request a messenger was sent to 
Carlisle for his cousin, the Bishop of Ely, who was 
spending some time in the city and who had written 
that he would make the Earl a visit before returning 
to his Episcopate or Diocese in Cambridgeshire. 

Toward evening the Bishop of Ely arrived, escorted 
by a splendid cavalcade. His reverence was received 
and greeted with great warmth by Lord Graeme and 
good Mr. Hayston, the chaplain, and the many noble 
friends who had gathered in, and was soon conducted 
to the presence of the noble old Earl, whose mind was 
still clear. 

At the hour of early twilight Kathryn and Annie 
left the great hall where they had been walking up 
and down arm in arm. 

“It is so sad,” said Kathryn, as they proceeded up 
the stairway, “to see the noble Earl of Fleetwood 
brought to Death’s door; it makes me nervous, and 
oh, so sad ! Annie, let us continue our walk down this 
long, dark corridor which leads to the upper rooms 
of the west wing.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


119 

“Yes,” said Annie ; “since we cannot on account of 
the threatening storm go outside, we can promenade 
here and listen to the howling of the wind as it shrieks 
around the old gables and towers.” 

“Oh, yes, dear Annie; it is more appropriate than 
aught else we may do now !” 

“And more consonant with our feelings,” rejoined 
Annie. 

“I am sad ! Think, Annie, of the doubly died villain 
who will come into possession here as Earl, master of 
all, when my dear, gentle grandfather is no more.” 

At the end of the corridor they ascended a back 
stairway leading to the Mansard, then along another 
dark corridor until they reached a window in the far- 
ther end. 

“Annie, let us open these old shutters and look out 
on the scene below.” They worked at the fastenings 
and finally threw open the heavy shutters. 

“There is nothing below but the servants’ quarters,” 
observed Annie, as the shutters flew back with a bang. 
Resting their arms on the window-ledge, they leaned 
forward to take in the scene. 

“Yes, Annie, there is a beautiful scene — a lovely 
landscape — beyond the servants’ quarters.” After 
viewing the scene, they returned to the old Earl’s 
room. 

At ten o’clock supper was announced. The Earl 
appeared quite easy, and had fallen asleep. The Doc- 
tor, with the rest of the company, went out to enjoy 
the feast which had been prepared, leaving Mr. Crown- 
ingshield, Lady Hawren and Mrs. Macleod at the bed- 
side of the Earl. 

Kathryn and Flora stood behind Lady Hawren's 
chair, all watching over him with much solicitude. 
Doctor Godkins, on leaving the room, had said : 

“His Lordship is doing well, and if not disturbed 
I trust will be much improved by morning. Exhaus- 


120 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


tion appears to be the only trouble, but under no cir- 
cumstances must he be excited, for fear of aneurismal 
dilatation of the heart.” 

Kathryn and Flora stood a while, then silently and 
quietly slipped out of the room and walked softly tip 
and down the great hall. So quiet had been their 
movement that Lady Hawren had not missed them 
from the back of her chair. After making a few 
turns, and while at the farther end of the hall, they 
heard the Earl cry out as if in great excitement, and 
for a moment stood petrified with terror, trying to 
catch his words, but could not hear distinctly or un- 
derstand his utterances. Gliding back up the long 
hall, into the doorway of the room, they saw that he 
had risen upon one elbow, and was looking wildly at 
Lady Hawren, who was hovering over him. As 
Kathryn and Flora entered, he sank back and expired 
instantly. 

How shocked they were ! Doctor Godkins, the 
Bishop of Ely, and the friends were hastily sum- 
moned from the banquet. Lady Hawren was carried 
from the room, almost swooning. 

Questioning Mr. Crowningshield, the Doctor dis- 
covered that his patient had started up from a pro- 
found sleep, in great excitement; but Mr. Crowning- 
shield did not understand what had caused the excite- 
ment, for he had but momentarily stepped into the 
next room, and heard the Earl cry out, as if starting 
up from a bad or exciting dream. 

The Doctor, after a slight examination, declared 
the Earl's death was caused by some undue mental 
excitement, which, in his delicate state, had caused 
symmetrical dilatation of the heart and its valves, or 
preternatural dilatation of an artery. 

The whole castle was thrown into consternation; 
for, though the Earl had been only slightly ill for a 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 121 

few days, no one was expecting a fatal result from 
his illness. 

A messenger was forthwith posted to Weirwolf to 
notify the youn gBaron, who would now succeed to 
the Earldom of Fleetwood. Splendid preparations 
were at once ordered for the obsequies, to be held on 
the second day thence. The Bishop of Ely was to 
remain and participate in their sorrows, as well as 
to take part in conducting the funeral rites, which 
were to be observed in the chapel of the castle with 
much pomp and splendor. There would be many 
eulogies and elaborate oraisons, according to the ritual 
of the church. 

The body of the noble Earl of Fleetwood was placed 
on an imposing catafalco, and borne to the chapel; 
thence, after the obsequies, to the family vault be- 
neath, and there deposited to await the final awaken- 
ing. 

A multitude of relatives, friends and retainers fol- 
lowed the catafalco as the body was borne to its last 
resting-place, for all had loved the noble old Earl, 
who for so many years, with a liberal hand, had up- 
held the dignity of the family, and built up the fine 
old estate of Fleetwood. 


CHAPTER X. 

A CONFESSION. 

“I do not fear to follow out the truth, 

Albeit along the precipice’s edge.” 

It had been fondly hoped by some, yet by others 
feared, that the young Earl would arrive in time to 
be present at the obsequies ; but, with all the expecta- 
tions, the young man failed to make his appearance. 


122 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


One morning, a few days later, before the ladies had 
gone down, Annie entered Lady Hawren’s boudoir 
and found her Ladyship ready to descend for break- 
fast. Approaching, she placed her arms around her 
waist, saying: 

“Dear Lady Hawren, I fear there is something 
wrong going on here. On waking quite early this 
morning, and feeling a little disquieted, I rose and 
began to walk the floor. On walking back to the 
window of my dressing-room, which looks out over 
the kitchen garden, back of Mrs. Macleod’s apart- 
ments and down the path leading through the west 
park, I saw a villainous-looking man come out of one 
of the rooms — I’m sure, of the housekeeper’s apart- 
ments. Casting a glance around, as if to assure him- 
self that he was not seen, he slunk off down the path- 
way leading through the park.” 

“How you astonish me, Annie!” cried Lady Haw- 
ren. “Of what appearance was he?” 

“Oh, a great, burly, dark, rugged-looking man; 
roughly clad and heavily armed with pistols and 
knives. I felt it my duty to tell you, Lady Hawren ; 
I knew not what else to do.” 

“You did right, Annie. Poor Mrs. MacLeod is a 
sorrowful-looking woman, and must have seen great 
trouble, but — but — Oh, I must speak to her of this ; 
she must explain the appearance of an armed man 
leaving her apartments so early in the morning.” 

“He had the appearance of a robber, a smuggler, 
or some such outlandish villain, as I have read of,” 
said Annie. 

“And Gaston left last evening, to be gone some 
time — he said to take charge of his new estate. And 
Mr. Crowningshield is in Carlisle, engaged in closing 
up the business and adjusting matters for the arrival 
of the young Earl.” 

“Oh, Lady Hawren! He — the villain — must have 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 123 

known that both were absent. Think of it! We 
might all have been murdered in our beds.” 

“Annie, let me admonish you ; speak not of this 
to anyone until I see what Mrs. Macleod has to say 
— what explanation she can give of this unheard-of 
proceeding.” 

After breakfast, Lady Hawren proceeded directly 
to the housekeeper’s sitting-room. Mrs. Macleod 
looked unusually annoyed and distressed, Lady Haw- 
ren thought, as she seated herself and said: 

“Close the door, Mrs. Macleod, please; I wish to 
have a private conversation with you, and do not wish 
to be disturbed.” 

"Certainly, my Lady,” she said, closing the door, 
and seating herself near a small table. 

“Mrs. Macleod, there was seen this morning a heav- 
ily armed man — a vicious-looking person — leaving one 
of your apartments. Lord Graeme is not here, neither 
Mr. Crowningshield, and before saying anything to 
Mr. Langhorn about it, I deemed it best to enquire 
of you if you know anything of this person being on 
the premises last night. I wish you to answer me 
truly, for your future — your good name — your repu- 
tation is at stake. It was not I who saw him, but 
another. This is most atrocious ; it is villainous ! 
Mrs. Macleod, I have always held you in the highest 
esteem, and assure you it hurts me very much to be 
forced to look upon you as any other than a pure, 
honest woman.” 

Mrs. Macleod dropped over on the table beside 
her, and, burying her face in her hands, sobbed wildly 
and uncontrollably for a time ; then, raising herself, 
she looked Lady Hawren full in the face, with honest 
eyes. 

“Lady Hawren,” she said, “I have suffered enough ! 
Oh, my Lady ! You can never know the agony I 
have endured! The life that I am living is worse 


I2 4 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


than death, and, since you have asked it of me, I must 
make a clean breast of it — a clean confession, even 
though I hang for it; for I suppose it will be no less 
than that. But death — any kind of death — is prefer- 
able to the miserable life I have lived for sixteen 
years. But, dear Lady, do not for one moment allow 
the thought to enter your mind that my private life 
is bad, for I can assure you that you can fall into 
no greater error than that, though the circumstance 
may from the first glance appear to condemn me. 
It was my brother who was seen leaving one of my 
rooms this morning. I am an honest woman, and 
must tell all, even though he should be captured — he 
must look to himself for the future, for I can conceal 
his wickedness, his comings and goings, no longer/’ 
She wept again, and Lady Hawren sat like a marble 
statue, so miserable she felt. “I have so often told him 
that he must stay away from this place, but he has a 
hold on me by which he extorts from me every cent 
of money I receive, except barely enough to clothe 
myself and daughter.” 

“You have had a most liberal salary.” 

“Oh, yes, my Lady ! Lady Margaret, your grand- 
mother, kept me with her as companion and payed me 
most liberally, and since her death the good Earl has 
paid me a good salary; but it has all gone to my 
brother Donald Dhu, captain of a brig. He has made 
it a point to stop in here three or four times each year 
and extort from me every cent of it.” 

“Dear Mrs. Macleod, you have had your share of 
trouble!” Lady Hawren rose, and went over and 
placed her hand upon Mrs. Macleod’s shoulder, in a 
tender and sympathetic manner, and continued : “But 
how could he have ever gotten such a hold on you?” 

“Oh, dear Lady, that is the hard part of it. But 
I must confess it all, for I shall never have another 
moment of peace with this weighty burden upon me. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


125 


Sixteen years ago I lived in a cottage on the Hawren 
estate, just on the coast — for the Hawren estate takes 
in the coast of the Firth of Clyde for many miles. 
My husband, Robert Macleod, was an awfully wicked 
man. I married him in perfect ignorance of his real 
character. I knew that he was captain of a sailing 
vessel, but never dreamed that he was an outlaw — 
a smuggler. We had been married something over a 
year when he told me he would be compelled, for 
safety, to flee to the West Indies, and must take me 
with him, for it would be dangerous for him to ever 
return to that place, and I would be obliged to re- 
main with him there in the future. I could not con- 
sent to go and leave Lady Margaret Hawren, who 
was my best friend, and had shown me so much kind- 
ness, for I had been in her home for years previous 
to my marriage; and after I found that he was an 
outlaw, fleeing from justice, I felt that I would 
rather die than go with him — a pirate — to a foreign 
country. He and my brother had made every arrange- 
ment for our departure ; the brig stood off coast, ready 
to sail, when they came and announced to me that I 
must hasten to go with them. I told them that I 
would not go. Captain Macleod grew angry, and 
swore that I should go. I told him if he would, he 
might go; I would take my child and go to Lady 
Hawren, who had ever been a friend to me ; that he 
had deceived me, and I wished never to see him. more. 
Oh, Lady, how unhappy I was ! He stooped down 
and took up my little fair-haired Flora, saying cruelly, 
‘Then stay if you will ; I will take the babe !’ Oh, my 
Lady, I was crazed! Like a tigress robbed of her 
young, I sprang upon him with a shriek. Then I 
knew no more of what took place, but for weeks lay 
in a delirium, with brain fever. Lady Margaret sent 
over physician and servants to attend me, and often 
came over herself. When consciousness again re- 


126 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


turned to me, husband and brother were gone, but: 
there — oh, thank God! — was my babe, my little fair- 
haired Flora. I was quite happy when I realized that 
he had gone and had left my child. When I was able 
to be moved, Lady Hawren took us to her home, and 
after I was again quite strong, gave me the position 
of housekeeper. 

“One evening, just about a year after they had 
left, my brother came secretly in. We had a long 
talk. He told me that Captain Macleod was dead; 
that the vessel had been wrecked. He was destitute, 
had not decent clothing, and asked me to give him 
money. I told him that I could not help a man who 
was an outlaw to his country. He then told me that, 
my Lady, which has ruined my life and has turned 
my hair white as cotton.” As she said this she re- 
moved a little net cap lined with black silk, which she 
always wore scrupulously close around her hair. “My 
hair has been white since that awful night.” 

“Oh, my good woman 1” cried Lady Hawren. 
“What could he have told you to cause you so much 
distress ?” 

“Lady Hawren, it may cost me my life, but I must 
tell it to you. He said : ‘Martha, you remember the 
night when we were leaving, and Captain Macleod 
took up the little Flora to leave you?’ ‘You may 
know I do, sir/ said I, indignantly. ‘Well/ said he, 
‘do you know what you did then?’ ‘No, I know 
nothing after I sprang upon him like a fury/ ‘Fury! 
T should say so !’ said he, looking down. ‘Do you 
know that you picked up an iron poker and felled him 
to the floor, dead as a beef?’ Now I screamed! I 
knew nothing of it. Oh, Lady ; I killed my husband ! 
My brother told me that I struck my husband and 
he fell dead at my feet. Then he left me, in a dead 
faint, and took my husband’s body to the boat that 
stood waiting to carry me away from my home and 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


127 


friends, and put out to the vessel, where they buried 
it in the sea. He then told me that if it ever became 
known, that I would be hanged for murder. After 
frightening me almost to death, he said no one knew 
of it but himself. Then I urged him to leave and 
never to return, but he said he needed money, and 
must have it, or he could not leave. I then gave him 
all the money I had, for I had been saving up some, 
to buy winter clothing for myself and babe. Oh, 
my Lady ! he left me then, but has been coming back 
at intervals for more, and keeps me closely pinched 
all the time, although I receive an abundant salary. 
Now, Lady, you know all my sorrows, and if I must 
be given up to justice, it must be even so. For my- 
self I care not. But oh, I did so wish to shield my 
child, my little Flora, from the sorrow and disgrace 
that would fall upon her.” 

“Oh, my poor woman ; you have my warmest sym- 
pathy!” said Lady Hawren, sitting by her side and 
holding her hand in her own soft and velvety ones. 
“You need have no fears for your secret; it is just 
as safe with me as it was locked in your own breast. 
I will never reveal it, I promise you. I do not be- 
lieve it could possibly be proven against you, and you 
yourself do not know that you committed the deed. 
No ; let it rest! Your brother may be imposing upon 
you in order to extort money. Even if it is true, you 
did not intend it ; it was not premeditated.” 

“No, no, Lady ; it never once entered my mind,” 
the poor woman said, all a-tremble from excitement 
and distress. 

“Come, now Mrs. MacLeod, and lie down on your 
bed. You are over-much excited, and nearly ex- 
hausted. I will sit here beside you. Let me replace 
your cap, and cover again these sorrow-stricken 
locks,” and Lady Hawren adjusted the little black 
cap over the white hair, as she said: “Look to your 


128 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


heavenly Father for comfort. He is able to forgive 
all and send sweet peace to your troubled soul.” Her 
manner was gentle and soothing. 

“Oh, my Lady; I could never have lived through 
all these years had it not been for the comforting 
influence of the Holy Spirit.” 

The poor, distressed woman closed her eyes and 
wept awhile in silence. Then she said: 

“Lady Hawren, begging your Ladyship’s pardon, 
I feel that I must say to you that, whatever my 
brother is now, he is in the employ of my Lord 
Graeme, and has been for a number of years. My 
Lord owns the brigantine of which my brother is 
captain, and often makes voyages with him — is even 
now gone on such a trip — that is, they were to start 
this morning, quite early. This is as much as I can 
say. It may be that my brother’s business is now 
more honorable than it was formerly,” she said, with 
a long-drawn sigh. 

“Is it possible ! Can it be that Gaston — Lord 
Graeme — would embark in such questionable busi- 
ness ?” 

“Dear Lady, I cannot say that it is so! But when 
my brother comes ashore his time is all spent with 
my Lord Graeme, except when he comes to force 
from me all the money I have. His visits are all made 
in secret, and Lord Graeme never leaves here in com- 
pany with my brother, but usually, as in the present 
instance, leaves the evening previous.” 

“This is something to think of. Oh, how fearful! 
Methinks I know too much now!” exclaimed Lady 
Hawren, walking the floor and wringing her hands. 

“My Lady, pardon me for saying aught to dis- 
turb your composure; I trust there’s nothing wrong. 
My brother is a good sea captain. It may be only a 
merchantman of which he has control now. Let us 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


129 


think no evil of my Lord, for we cannot be positive of 
any wrong doing.” 

“Mrs. Macleod, I will go now,” said Lady Hawren, 
very much excited, “and if you should need me, let 
me know! You are not well; pray lie and rest your- 
self awhile. I will see Miss Hamilton, and explain 
to her that it was your brother whom she saw this 
morning leaving your apartment, for it was she who 
saw him.” 

“Thank you; oh, thank you! I owe you so much! 
Ah, you are so like Lady Margaret — so kind-hearted; 
so good.” 


e\L 

CHAPTER XI. 

THE YOUNG EARL OF FLEETWOOD. 

“The furious barb snorts fire and foam; 

And, with a fearful bound, 

Dissolves at once in empty air, 

And leaves her on the ground.” 

Now the first days of September were flooding the 
hills of Fleetwood with great beauty and magic-like 
changes. Six weeks have elapsed since the funeral of 
the late Earl of Fleetwood. 

Lady Kathryn donned her riding habit, of dark- 
green cloth, and, adjusting her jaunty hat, well laden 
with long black plumes, over her brown-gold hair, 
ran lightly down the broad stone steps leading out 
toward the stables. After reaching the gate at the 
foot of the garden, she called : 

“Kibbie! Kibbie!” Then, raising a small silver 
whistle to her lips, she blew a keen, sharp blast. Pres- 
ently Kibbie Kent — her own groom — made his ap- 
pearance. 


13 ° 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Kibbie, get our horses. It is, I believe, a solid 
month since I rode out, and I am fairly pining to 
mount Black Prince again. Be in a hurry, Kibbie; 
someone may stop me now, before I can get off. I 
will walk a little here in the garden while you are 
getting ready, and do not for the world, Kibbie, let 
anyone know that we are going; we’ll mount from 
the gate here, and not go to the front.” 

“Yes, my Lady,” said Kibbie Kent, as he sprang 
with alacrity to do her bidding, for he was ever ready 
to attend her. 

“It’s outrageous!” cried Kathryn, walking up and 
down, but keeping close along the garden wall, well 
behind the shrubbery. “Here I have been mewed 
up in this old castle for positively a month, with noth- 
ing but teachers and books; study this, and study 
that ! And above all, the undesirable attentions of the 
ever-present Lord Graeme. Persecution? Mercy! I 
would not have him find me here for the world ; he 
would insist on going with me, and I positively could 
not endure that! He is so lordly, too, and acts for 
all the world as if he owned the place. And mother 
would not allow me to go out any distance attended 
only by Kibbie; for she believes all the stories we 
hear of bands of thieves, gypsies, brigands and all 
kinds of ruffians, who are said to be hiding in caves, 
mountains and glens. I defy them all! Am bound 
to mount Black Prince again, and away. Now here 
is Kibbie-boy, with the horses.” 

Skipping through the gate, she closed it after her; 
then, mounting, they set forth. Wishing to avoid 
observation, she shunned the main avenue leading 
from the front, and chose the way through the park 
and chase. Crossing the small river at a shallow 
ford, and skirting a valley, they soon reached the main 
road leading to Carlisle. 

“Now we have eluded their vigilance, I shall make 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


131 

straight for yonder high point, Kibbie. What is it 
called? Is there a name for it?” 

“That, my Lady, is Fairy Fell.” 

“Is it on this road, or shall we have to turn off to 
reach it? To think of it, as long as I have been here 
I have never traversed this roadway since the evening 
of our arrival, but have always gone in another direc- 
tion !” 

“It is just at the turn of the road, my Lady, where 
the road forks ; one leads to Carlisle, the other to 
Hawdon Manor, hidden from your view by the high 
point ye speak of,” replied Kibbie. 

What a picture of spirited, dashing loveliness she 
presented ; with how much ease and grace she sat her 
fine, fiery black barb ; and how she did take in long 
draughts of the delightfully fresh air. 

She had been kept close to her studies all spring 
and summer ; for since the Earl’s sickness and death 
the house had been in mourning — all had been very 
quiet. The young Earl had not yet made his appear- 
ance, and everything was at a standstill, awaiting his 
arrival, before any decision was made as to the 
future. 

Kathryn and Kibbie now arrived at Fairy Fell, 
and, ascending a gentle slope, soon had a fine 
view of the valley, the river winding its way to 
the firth, and Hawdon Manor-house, on the river 
bank, nestling amid a rich growth of oaks, beech, and 
birch. 

The scene was charming — so much so that Kathryn 
did not see, being absorbed, a splendid coach, attended 
by a cavalcade, approaching from the direction of Car- 
lisle. 

“Now, Kibbie, I will descend on this side to the 
road,” she said, starting down the steep declivity. 

“ 'Deed, my Lady, ’tis pretty steep down this side,” 
said Kibbie. 


132 




! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Notwithstanding the precipitous way, they pro- 
ceeded quite well until within a few paces of the 
roadway, when Black Prince stepped on a loose 
boulder. Losing his foothold, the noble steed strug- 
gled bravely to regain his equipoise, but his momen- 
tum being so great and the declivity so abrupt, after a 
gallant struggle he lost his equilibrium, and went 
down, rolling over and over, until he reached the level 
ground by the roadside. And poor Kathryn; where 
was she? 

When the stone rolled under Prince's foot, he was 
thrown forward with so much force that she flew, 
swiftly as a hawk upon its prey, over his head, alight- 
ing on both hands; then, rolling over, she lay “like 
one that had been stunned." It happened that the 
horse in his tumble just missed her, or she must have 
been crushed. 

The gilded coach, turning an angle, came in sight 
just as Black Prince stumbled ; so the occupants of 
the coach had a view of the fearful spectacle. The 
coachman pulled up. 

“Guy! Rorey! Run! Great heavens, the young 
lady must be killed !" 

“Oh, my Lord, was not that a fearful plunge?" 
cried Guy Brignol, as Lord Clifton hastily descended 
from the old royal coach with Guy, and Rorey fol- 
lowing. 

“See to the horse, Ambrose!" cried Louis, gallop- 
ing up. “That is Black Prince ; aye, and there’s Kib- 
bie Kent! It is some lady from the Castle, so it is, 
by my life!" 

The Earl ran hastily and raised her gently in his 
arms. 

“I fear she has fainted. Run, Rorey! Send some- 
one to the streamlet around the clump of hawthorne 

there for a little water Guy, there’s wine in the 

pouch inside the foot of the coach ! Fetch some wine. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


133 


Louis. Hither, quickly ! Hurry ; do, boys, I fear she’s 
badly hurt.” 

Guy, Louis and Rorey scurried off to fetch wine 
and water — anything. 

Kathryn had not fainted — was only stunned; and 
presently she opened her eyes and, looking straight 
up into his clear blue ones, she recognized her knight- 
of-the-golden-locks, whom she had met on the high- 
way. 

The recognition was mutual, for Lord Clifton had, 
since that meeting, often dreamed of the lovely face 
which he had so unexpectedly met with, yet he knew 
not who she was. Now gazing into her dark-brown 
eyes, which he had never been able to forget, he 
cried : 

“Dear lady, I fear you have sustained serious in- 
juries.” 

“I think not, sir ; surely not ! I feel no pain, thank 
you.” 

Shrinking, with maiden delicacy, from the position 
in which she found herself, she struggled to free her- 
self from his arms. Appreciating the effort, he rose 
to his feet — though he felt that he could sit there 
forever, holding her to his breast — and on taking her 
hand to assist her to rise, she shrieked out with pain. 

“Oh, what — what is it, dear lady?” 

“My arm ! My wrist ! Oh — 00 !” 

“Surely it is not broken!” he cried, solicitously. 

“Oh — oh — 00!” she moaned. Taking her right 
hand, he gently and very tenderly drew off her riding 
glove. 

“Oh ! Oh ! My wrist ” 

“It is, then, your wrist — a sprain ! Thank God it is 
not a fracture ; nor subluxation,” said the young Earl, 
fervently, holding her soft hand in his and examining 
it carefully. 


t34 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

Now the others gathered around with water and 
wine, which were not required. 

“Permit me, dear Lady, to see you home in the 
coach ; you cannot mount again.” They led her to the 
coach, and assisted her to a seat among the soft 
cushions. 

“Louis, let one of the boys mount Black Prince; 
he does not appear to be much injured, does he?” 
asked the Earl, as he took a seat beside Lady Kathryn. 

“Not in the least, I assure your Lordship ; not in the 
least. You could not hurt Black Prince ; he bounces 
like a trap-ball,” returned Louis. 

Kathryn was no little astonished that all seemed to 
know Black Prince so well. Now, sitting by her side, 
the young Earl insisted on holding her wrist in his 
hand, to prevent its being irritated by the motion of 
the coach. 

“We will take you home, lady, and one of the boys 
will ride your horse. Where shall I direct the driver 
to go?” 

“Oh ” she cried, as her arm gave her a sharp 

pain. “I am Kathryn Arranton, from Fleetwood Cas- 
tle.” 

“MacDougal, drive on to Fleetwood,” called Guy 
to the coachman, as he and Rorey seated themselves 
opposite the Earl and Kathryn. 

“I was pretty well assured that you were from 
Fleetwood, my Lady, by your horse and attendant,” 
said the Earl, as the horses started off briskly. And 
he regarded her dainty fingers, as her wrist lay so 
gently in his palm. 

“You know Lady Hawren, then ; I suppose you are 
one of her followers,” said the Earl. 

“Lady Hawren is my mother, sir,” replied Kathryn, 
her face all aglow with pleasure as she glanced at his 
handsome face and wondered how he knew anything 
of her mother, and who he could possibly be. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


135 


“You are the daughter of Lady Hawren!” he ex- 
claimed, taking in her beautifully regular features, 
then looking at Guy, as if to say, “where is the large 
nose, Guy, of which you spoke.” 

“Yes, sir,” said Kathryn, softly, as their eyes met. 

“You are Lady Hawren’s daughter!” he repeated, 
incredulously. “Then, may I not claim relationship 

with you, since Lady Hawren is my cousin I 

beg your pardon, however, Lady Kathryn — my cousin 
— for not introducing myself and friends sooner, but 
your poor wrist,” he said, looking into her eyes, which 
caused her face to flush beautifully, “engaged all my 
attention. I am Robert Clifton, and by the death of 
my grandfather, the late Earl, am Earl of Fleetwood, 
now on my way to Fleetwood Castle, after a long ab- 
sence. Guy — Mr. Brignol — this is my cousin, Lady 

” Kathryn groaned and attempted to remove her 

hand from his clasp. “Oh!” he cried, holding it ten- 
derly, “does it pain you so?” Once again their eyes 
met, but now he was astonished at the expression of 
anguish in hers; her face grew white as death as she 
fell back in a death-like swoon. He placed his arm 
about her and held her up against his shoulder, cry- 
ing: 

“Guy, help! Rorey, do something — get something. 
She has swooned !” The Earl was wild with anxiety. 

“Here, my Lord,” allow me to hold her wrist while 
you support her head against your shoulder, to ease it 
against the motion of the coach.” 

“Yes, Guy, hold it carefully; pray do not hurt it,” 
and, placing his left hand around her head, he pressed 
it close against his shoulder, while Guy took her wrist 
most tenderly between both his hands. 

“Oh, if we only had some restorative!” cried the 
Earl. 

“My Lord, I happen to have a Httle Eau de Cologne 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


136 

about me,” said Rorey, drawing from his pocket a 
small bottle of Cologne water. 

“Rorey is decidedly feminine in his tastes, my Lord ; 
I observe he ever carries some article of the feminine 
toilet about his person/' said Guy, smiling on Rorey. 

“And here, my Lord, is a perfectly clean Cambric/' 
Rorey continued. “Shall I pour a little on it, and 
apply it?” 

“Yes, yes ; instantly ; how nice of you, lad !” 

“Aha! Now, Rorey, that bit of fine linen, laced 
all around,” said Guy, banteringly, in an undertone. 

“Mother likes to have me use dainty things, and 
she placed it in my pocket on starting from home.” 

“Guy,” said the Earl, “speak to Louis and bid him 
dispatch Kibbie for Doctor Godkins, that he may 
reach the castle as soon as possible, that something 
may be done for her poor wrist. The pain must have 
been intense to cause a syncope. And tell MacDougal 
to drive up more rapidly.” Rorey continued to apply 
the handkerchief with the Eau de Cologne, and Guy 
said, after having spoken to Louis : 

“This proves clearly, Rorey, that you are sentimen- 
tal — fond of the fair sex ; or at least that you have a 
penchant for dainty trifles of Milady's dressing table.” 

“They are gentle, sweet creatures, Master Guy,” 
said Rorey, blushing like any girl. 

“You are in your adolescence, boy, and have not 
yet cause, on account of one of these ‘sweet creatures/ 
to wish that you had never been born.” 

“I trust, Guy, that I never shall,” he replied, again 
drenching the handkerchief with his favorite perfume 
and applying it to Kathryn's nose. 

“A dainty hand,” observed Guy, just above a whis- 
per, as he looked on the little hand resting so limp 
in his own. 

“Aye, delicately moulded ; and a well-rounded arm,” 
returned Rorey. 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


137 

“A model which the old Greek masters might have 
envied,” said Guy. 

“Sweeping lashes and arching eyebrows,” observed 
Rorey. 

“Aye, and teeth of dazzling whiteness, velvety skin, 
and a profusion of dark-brown hair,” said Guy, ad- 
miringly. 

“She sighs ; see, she is coming round !” cried Rorey, 
with delight, still applying his restorative. 

Her returning consciousness was manifested by a 
sigh, deep-drawn, as from the inmost recess of her 
heart. Lord Clifton, holding her face close against his 
shoulder, looked down on her marble-like cheeks. 
Slowly her eyes opened, and she looked straight up 
in his face, while a hot flush suffused her cheeks. As 
consciousness once more asserted its sway, she re- 
membered what he had said; that he was the Earl of 
Fleetwood — the despised one whom she had hoped 
never to meet, to prove to be her knight-of-the-golden- 
locks, whose image she had cherished in her heart 
with a wild dream of delight. The soft light in her 
eyes changed to a look of anguish, even while he gazed 
into their depths. Haughtily she drew herself away 
from his supporting arms, far back into the corner of 
the seat, holding her wrist in her own hand, sitting bolt 
upright, with the dignity of a queen, with a crimson 
face and a pained and indignant expression. Now a 
heavy groan escapes her lips. 

The Earl, with manifest sympathy, said, in the most 
winning voice, and with the most charming address: 

“My dear cousin, what great pain you must suffer 

to cause you to ” Another groan. “Pray, allow 

me to hold your wounded arm again; the motion of 
the carriage is too much for you.” 

“No, I thank you,” she said, icily, holding it still 
closer to her body. “We must be nearing the castle 
now.” 


i3§ 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Oh, yes, yes, my poor little cousin; we’ll soon 
reach the castle, where you will have attention. I have 
sent a runner for a physician, who will soon arrive,” 
and, putting his head out the window, he said : 

“Louis, dash forward now with the four outriders 
and herald our approach.” Then to Kathryn he said : 

“I trust, dear cousin, the physician may soon arrive, 
and that you may have relief. You have my warmest 
sympathy.” 

“Thank you, my Lord,” she replied, with the utmost 
dignity ; “I trust I shall not require his service.” 

The Earl was much distressed by her demeanor, 
and was at a great loss to know how to account for 
the change which he so plainly perceived had come 
over her. At the park gate the Earl, looking forth, 
spoke most kindly to the keeper of the lodge, and 
threw him a broad gold-piece. They approached rap- 
idly, and had a glorious view of the castle, as the rays 
of the setting sun threw a halo over all, illuminating 
the battlements and displaying the rugged front in 
crimson and gold. A St. George’s banner was flung 
to the breeze, and floated proud and gay from the 
donjon tower. 

Louis, with his four followers, had put spurs to 
their horses, and, dashing forward, soon reached the 
castle gate, where he blew a blast from his bugle- 
horn. At this the great iron-studded gate swung open. 
Entering the great courtyard, they cried : 

“Make room! Make room for the noble Lord 
Clifton, Baron of Weirwolf and Earl of Fleetwood. 
Make way! Make way for the entrance of the noble 
Earl !” And as the magnificent glass-quartered coach, 
with its six superb black horses, swept over the draw- 
bridge, and passed under the potcullis, the old cannon 
from the ramparts gave them a thundering welcome, 
and from the minstrels’ trumpets bravely came a blythe 
salute in martial music. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


L39 


The officers of the household, with the staff of 
servants, had gathered in the courtyard to give wel- 
come to the new Earl, with his cavalcade of twenty 
fine yeomen, all bearing arms of Weirwolf, and they 
entered with much clang and clatter. 

Now Fleetwood’s heralds came forth, gaudily 
dressed in tabards, with back-sword, sword and buck- 
ler, and single falchion. Taking their stand on the 
ends of the great stone steps leading from the great 
hall, they loudly flourished their trumpets, proclaiming 
the arrival of the noble Earl of Fleetwood: “Make 
way ! Make way for the noble Earl of Fleetwood !” 
was the universal cry ; the words rang through the old 
castle from basement to turret. 

The servants crowded around ; the great glass doors 
were thrown open. Guy and Rorey sprang lightly to 
the ground and held the door open for the Earl, who 
now descended and carefully assisted Lady Kathryn to 
alight. With a purse well filled with “broad gold- 
pieces, Louis dispensed, for the Earl, largess on all 
the old servants of the place, who had been so long 
a time in the employ of his Lordship’s grandfather. 
The donations were received with the applause com- 
mon on such occasions, and as the Earl passed through 
the courtyard, the cry everywhere was : 

“Health !” “Honor !” “Long life to the noble Earl 
of Fleetwood!” 

As they neared the great stone steps at the entrance, 
the poursuivants hailed him, “Lord of Clifton ; Baron 
of Weirwolf, and Earl of Fleetwood.” The inmates of 
the castle, in pursuit of different diversions and occu- 
pations, scattered here and there, as the first notes of 
the bugle-blast were given by Louis at the gate, had 
instantly divined the cause ; then at the booming of the 
cannon and the sound of martial music, all rushed to 
the great hall, to give welcome to the young Earl. 

At the entrance of the great hall the Earl was met 


i 4 o EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

by Mr. Crowningshield, who shook his hand most cor- 
dially, and welcomed him with an expression of great 
joy. He was then warmly greeted by Mrs. Macleod, 
and as Flora bounded forward, he caught her in his 
arms and kissed her rosy cheek as if she had been his 
sister. 

There were many exclamations of surprise on find- 
ing Kathryn in company with the Earl. She turned 
to Mr. Crowningshield and told him of her accident 
and the painful injury she had sustained. Mr. Crown- 
ingshield, after introducing the Earl to Lady Hawren, 
who now entered the hall, followed by the other ladies, 
offered his arm to Lady Kathryn, and led her to the 
drawing-room, where she reclined in a great chair, at- 
tended by Marie and Hortense. 

Lady Hawren expressed much pleasure in meeting 
her young relation, giving him a most hearty welcome ; 
and he, with courtly grace, being charmed with her, 
gave her a cousinly salute. She presented him to Mrs. 
Edmonds and Miss Hamilton. Then the young Earl 
was conducted to his apartments, and the others, enter- 
ing the drawing-room, gathered around Kathryn, ask- 
ing, with much solicitude, all manner of questions, 
which she declined to answer, referring them for ex- 
planation to the young Earl, for she averred she was 
not cognizant of what had transpired. 

Just then there was another arrival. Flora ran to 
the great hall to meet Doctor Godkins, and said : 

“Oh, Doctor, I am so glad you have come ; do come 
in.” 

“How is this, Fairy; how is this? I thought you 
had your arm broken, and here I am come to set your 
broken bones and you meet me all smiling and bright 
as an angel.” 

“Oh, no, Doctor ; you’ve been misinformed ! It is 
not I, but Lady Hawren’s daughter who has been hurt, 
and yet, her arm is not broken, I think.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


141 

“Not your arm, my flower, but Lady Kathryn’s — 
and not broken? Come, come! What can you know 
about it? Have you studied surgery, and know a 
broken bone from a contusion ? Come, lead me to the 
lady’s presence/’ 

“She is not seriously hurt, I assure you, sir!” said 
Flora, as she placed her hand on the Doctor’s arm 
and led him into Kathryn’s presence. 

Doctor Godkins examined carefully her injured arm, 
which was now much swollen, and quite blue from 
bruised blood. 

“My dear young lady, you have suffered some severe 

contusions, but we will speedily have it properly 

Ah, there now ; thank you, Mrs. Macleod, that is just 
what we wanted !” — as Mrs. Macleod entered with a 
hot poultice. “Yet, let me first splint it just a little, 
then we will apply the cataplasm,” he said, deftly 
working away. 

“Oh, Doctor, is it broken ?” asked Gaston, anxiously, 
on seeing the doctor applying the splints, as he hastily 
entered the room. 

“Oh, no, my Lord How do you do, sir? And 

where have you been all this time? No, it is only 

a subluxation of the non-osseous parts of the joint, 
without fracture or displacement of the bones; no 
serious lesion of the ligaments or tendons, my Lord. 
I am only splinting it for mechanical support.” Now 
he bound on the warm poultice. “Ah, my Lady, I 
assure you this steaming fomentation will have a 
speedy effect; you will find it most grateful, and it 
will soon relieve you of the pain which is now causing 
you to groan so piteously. Thank you, Mrs. Macleod, 
thank you, Madam !” 

He glanced enquiringly about the room, then said 
to Annie, who stood near : “Miss Hamilton, I will ap- 
point you nurse, seeing that the young lady’s mother 
has disappeared. When the fomentation cools, please 


T& MARL : OF FLEETWOOD 

to remove it,” and, pouring out some fluid in a bowl 
of water, be continued: “And use this lotion freely. 
'She must have perfect rest. If the pain is excessive, 
then, Miss Hamilton, give her ten drops of this — a 
gentle narcotic” — handing her a vial. 

Gaston, who had been out bird-hunting on the 
Earl’s arrival, had met him, on his return, in the back 
court, where he was greeting some of the old servants, 
and expressed the most sincere pleasure at his return 
home, and regretted so much that he had happened 
to be absent on his arrival, and asked earnestly : “What 
has kept you away so long, my Lord, when we were 
so anxiously expecting you ?” 

“Cousin, your message arrived at Weirwolf three 
days after my departure thence for London, where I 
was admitted to a seat in the House of Peers, as I 
was chosen last July as representative peer. A mes- 
senger was dispatched from Weirwolf to London, but 
on his arrival I had gone with His Majesty’s escort 
to Windsor. It appeared that I should never receive 
the sad tidings of the death of my grandfather, but 
after my return to London. I received the message, 
and set out immediately ; but, my Lord, you know what 
a long and fatiguing journey it is, and, owing to cir- 
cumstances, I was forced to continue my journey on 
to Weirwolf before coming here. I cannot say how 
much I regretted not being with my grandfather in 
his last days.” 

Gaston, now hearing of Kathryn’s accident, hastened 
to her, as we have already seen, making many en- 
quiries as to her adventure ; but she declined to satisfy 
his curiosity. Still he hung over her with much solici- 
tude, and with the manner and appearance of an ac- 
cepted lover. 

Annie told him that the Earl had brought her home 
in his coach; then he was wild to know all about it, 
but Kathryn, with inflexible determination, yielded not. 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


143 


She had prided herself on her horsemanship, and was 
no little mortified at her mishap, besides being almost 
heart-broken on discovering her knight-of-the-golden- 
locks to be — “Oh!” — she groaned; and covered her 
face with her hand, feeling that she must swoon again 
at the thought. 

Lady Hawren had stepped into the library, where 
she found the Earl, who stood gazing around him 
with a sad, preoccupied air. He was much grieved, 
remembering his grandfather, and the manner in which 
he had been so suddenly turned against him ; his dying 
without a reconciliation. The timid knock at the half- 
open door startled him. He turned and, seeing Lady 
Hawren, cordially invited her in. 

“My Lord,” she said, “I fear I am intruding on you 
at a time when, perhaps, you would prefer to be 
alone.” 

“No, no, dear Lady Hawren ; I am truly glad to 
have your company,” he said, offering her a chair. 

“I knew you were in grief for your grandfather,” 
she said, seating herself, and he took a chair near her ; 
“and thought it but right that I should give you what 
relief and comfort I could, without delay, by letting 
you know what he appeared to discover, and what he 
said at the moment of his death.” 

“Dear Lady Hawren, if you can relieve my mind 
in the least I shall appreciate your kindness; for I 
assure you I have suffered much.” 

“My Lord, if you would let me take the place of 
your Aunt Margaret, and would just call me aunt, I 
should feel much more at my ease.” 

“Oh, may I do so? How very kind of you, and how 
grateful am I to have you take the place of my dear 
Aunt Margaret! I assure you I shall so love to do 
so if you are truly willing, my dear aunt.” 

“Why certainly ! It would please me much. But 
I want to relieve your mind by relating to you what oc- 


144 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


curred just at his death. I never left his bedside, 
neither day nor night, except momentarily, after he be- 
came ill, until the end came ; and it came unexpectedly 
to all. I urged him, when first he was taken sick, to 
send for you and forgive anything he might hold 
against you — for he had told me of your estrange- 
ment — but he would not listen to me for a moment.” 

“Dear Aunt, I appreciate your kindness in making 
the effort,” he said, sorrowfully. 

“I sat beside him, giving him all the comfort I had 
in my power to give. Doctor Godkins attended him, 
and we had the Bishop of Ely, his Lordship’s cousin, 
with him, besides our Rector, our Chaplain and many 
nobles coming and going. But just at the moment 
of his death there were no others in the room but 
Mr. Crowningshield, Mrs. Macleod, myself, Flora and 
Kathryn, who stood behind my chair. He appeared 
to be resting well, and dozed off into a sweet sleep. 
No one expected the end so soon. He slept sweetly for 
awhile; then suddenly he started up, raised himself 
on his elbow, and gazed wildly about the room. Then, 
fixing his eyes on me, he exclaimed: ‘Clifton! Clif- 
ton ! Oh, my poor boy ! Would to God he were here, 
that I might make reparation ! How I have wronged 
him! Oh, that I had listened to your admonition, 
Louise! It is false! He has been maligned — cruelly 
wronged — the noble boy ; forgive, oh, forgive me, 

Clift ’ He sank back, with your name on his lips, 

and breathed no more.” 

The young Earl, who had bowed his head on his 
hands, wept. Then, rising, he clasped her hand, 
saying, as she now also rose: “Dear aunt, what a 
blessed relief and comfort you have offered me. Allow 
me to thank you for this blessed assurance. I feel 
that words are inadequate to express my appreciation 
of your kindness to one so bowed down with grief 
and distress.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


*45 


“Clifton, I believe that your innocence was revealed 
to him from above ; that he saw his mistake, but too 
late to make reparation,” she said. 

“I am very sorry, for he was so set against you 
that he changed his will after we came, leaving Red- 
mond estate and all his money to Gaston ; and all the 
rest of his personal property — chattels, everything not 
included in the entail — to Kathryn. He told me he 
would leave you nothing save just that which was 
yours by entail. I urged him to the contrary, but he 
became incensed each time I urged anything like a 
reconciliation with you. He even went so far as to 
request a marriage between Gaston and Kathryn, 
which I refused to listen to. On the next day after 
the obsequies, at the urgent request of Gaston, your 
grandfather’s last will and testament was probated.” 

“What could have turned him so bitterly against 
me, my dear aunt? He always loved me devotedly 
until after my departure for Scotland.” 

“I could doubtless enlighten you on this subject, 
my Lord,” she said, “but it would only prove to you 
that which you already know — that you have an 
enemy, or enemies, hereabout, who will not hesitate 
to do you great injury. My Lord, you have been 
vilely traduced, and your grandfather has been grossly 
imposed upon.” 

“I feel assured of that fact, my dear aunt, and am 
therefore greatly aggrieved.” 

“I am, my Lord, much disturbed on account of the 
will having been changed, so far as Kathryn is con- 
cerned. And there must be a restoration, on her part, 
of everything ; for I know that, could our grandfather 
have had even an hour more of life, after the revela- 
tion came to him, he would have made reparation. 
There is not, in my mind, a particle of doubt of this. 
Besides, she will inherit the Hawren estate, and have 
an abundance of her own, without retaining what of 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


146 

right should be yours, and she must, by a process of 
law, restore to you all the goods and chattels, personal 
effects, the stock and fine horses which should go to 
you with the freehold. It is unjust; it is robbing 
you, my Lord, to ” 

“Never; never, dear aunt! Never, never shall this 
be done! If I do own the estates, and she the chat- 
tels, that suits me well ! Maybe some time we — she 
and I — we may adjust the matter agreeably between 
ourselves/’ he stammered, while a deep flush over- 
spread his fair face ; yet he looked straight into her 
eyes, as he continued: “My dear aunt, I must con- 
gratulate you. You have a most charming daughter, 
and We ” 

“My Lord, you I fail to apprehend your mean- 

ing,” she replied, blushing like a girl. “Pray, ex- 
plain; in what manner might you adjust this matter 
agreeably between yourselves?” 

“If I might have your approval, I should be de- 
lighted — with your permission — to offer her my hand, 
even without the chattels, my dear aunt.” 

“Oh, my Lord ; surely you do but jest — you cannot 
be serious ! Why, you have scarcely met !” 

“We have met, though, and I assure you, dear 
aunt,” he said, becoming quite serious, “that I have 
not had a peaceful, nor perfectly quiet, moment since 
that first meeting. My heart was lost to her at one 
glance, as I passed you on the highway, something 
over eight months ago, on your journey hither. I 
knew not, at the time, who she was ; nor could I 
discover ; and was in despair of ever seeing her more, 
when, on nearing my home to-day, I descried a lady 
on the brow of Fairy Fell, mounted on Black Prince, 
a favorite horse of my grandfather’s, which I always 
preferred to ride, and chose to call my own ; whom 
I recognized at once, as he stumbled and fell with 
her. I hastened to her assistance. What a wild thrill 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


147 


of joy surged over my soul when I beheld her face 
and recognized in her the beautiful image who had 
haunted my dreams for so many hopeless months.” 
He paused, looking eagerly in her face ; then con- 
tinued pleadingly: “Surely, dear aunt, you will not 
doom me to disappointment now, by withholding your 
approval !” 

“Oh, my Lord ; she is so young, and but a stranger 
to the world ; yet I will not withhold my permission — 
your suit has my approval — but pray do not, my Lord, 
speak to her on the subject yet for awhile — she is 
young, and must complete her studies. I assure you, 
my Lord, I am much gratified, and feel that my daugh- 
ter and myself are greatly honored by your offer.” 

“How can I ever thank you sufficiently, dearest 
aunt,” he cried, radiant with joy, seizing her hand 
and covering it with kisses. “No, no!” he continued; 
“I am the one who receives the honor, and promise 
that I will be obedient to your wishes. I can afford 
to wait if I may at last win her love.” 

“Win her love ! My dear sir, if you could know, as 
I do, how she has raved about her ‘Knight-of-the- 
Golden-Locks’ since the day you met on the highway, 
you would not anticipate much opposition on her part. 
But I know that I should not be telling you this,” 
she returned, laughing heartily. 

“Dearest aunt, you render me most happy,” he 
cried, kissing her hand, which he still held in his warm 
clasp. “Oh, could you know how you have restored 
my soul since coming to this room ! What an angel 
of peace you are! What a heaven you have opened 
to me ! What hopes ; what blissful contemplation ! 
You are my Bona Dea !” He pressed her hand, kissed 
her cheek, and led her forth to the drawing-room. 
But as they went he asked anxiously : 

“Dear aunt, are you sure there is no previous — no 
one in advance of me?” 


148 E'ARC OF FLEETWOOD 

"‘Rest assured, my Lord; there is no one in your 
way.” 

“Oh, aunt; I feel like a knight who has just re- 
ceived his accolade!” 

As they entered the room Gaston, who was hang- 
ing about Kathryn, with an air of proprietorship, was 
saying : 

“Tell us, cousin, how did all this happen?” 

“Ah, here is Weirwolf, the young Earl, my Lady; 
he will tell us all, Eli warrant you, about this escapade 
of yours,” said the doctor, as he shook hands warmly 
with Clifton, whom he had met and knew before his 
departure for Weirwolf. Kathryn was still reclining 
in the high-backed crimson-cushioned chair, her wrist 
well poulticed and resting in a sling. She was pale, 
but a slight flush suffused her cheeks as the Earl ap- 
proached and asked, with manifest solicitude, and some 
confusion : 

“I trust you are resting easier, my Lady. Do you 
still suffer so much?” 

“I do rest easier, I thank your Lordship ; it is noth- 
ing to speak of,” she replied, with great dignity. 

All had noted the happy expression on his face as 
he entered the room. 

“No, doctor,” he returned, “if the young lady, my 
cousin, is not willing to relieve your minds on the 
subject of the accident with which she has met, I 
shall respect her wishes; so I must decline to give 
you any account of the contretemps.” 

Kathryn gave him a grateful look, and said : “Thank 
you, my Lord.” 

Bowing, he seated himself nearby. 

“How she came to be away from home, when all 
thought she was shut up in the study, is more than 
I can guess,” said Annie, with a bright laugh. 

The Earl turned on her a glance, and thought : “Oh, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD. 1149 

ho, there is Guy’s beauty” — recognizing her at once by 
Guy’s description. 

“If she had only let us know she was going out, 
here are plenty of us who would have been glad to 
accompany and protect her from such an adventure,” 
said Gaston Graeme, regretfully. 

“I was well aware of that fact,” replied Kathryn, 
“and for that very reason I slipped away, wishing to 
be alone; solitude is preferable to ” 

The young Earl observed that Kathryn did not com- 
plete her sentence. The others did not appear to do 
so ; there was much conversation being carried on. 

At this juncture Lord Phantomfell was announced. 
He was a neighbor and friend to the family, and had 
been invited over to dine with the young Earl, in com- 
pany with Doctor Godkins, who had promised to re- 
main to dinner. 

Some hours later Kathryn had retired to her room, 
in obedience to the command of Doctor Godkins, who 
had said: “She must have all the quiet possible.” 
Annie and Marie had undressed her and put her to 
bed. And after administering an opiate and freely 
bathing the wound in the cooling lotion given her 
by the doctor, Annie went down. 

The folding doors of the great banqueting-hall were 
thrown open ; a burst of sweet music greeted them. 
The Earl, with Lady Hawren, led the way. Placing 
her at the tea-tray, he then took his place at the oppo- 
site end of the table. Lord Phantomfell offered his 
arm to Annie, and they were followed by the others. 
A servant stood behind each chair, ready to seat the 
guests ; the pages dressed for the occasion. 

Louis, as squire, placed the guests according to 
their station. Gaston was placed on the Earl’s left, 
and a place for Kathryn had been reserved on his 
right. 

Mrs. Macleod, the steward and the butlers had 


i5o 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


exerted themselves to the utmost to render the dining- 
room attractive, with the assistance of the gardener, 
who lent his aid with floral decorations. 

The hall was brilliantly lighted; and bressel-cock, 
white hares and pheasants were served in great plenty. 
There was a variety of bread and fine fruits, ale and 
beer, and superb sparkling wines — Muscatel, fragrant 
and sweet. 

Lady Hawren, with natural grace and ease, did the 
honors of the table. The meal was greatly enjoyed, 
for there was a flow of wit and humor, commingled 
with the conversation, which rendered it most pleasant, 
and after the grace-cup had been passed, the ladies 
rose and repaired to the drawing-room, where coffee 
was served, the men lingering around the table, where 
wine flowed freely among them. 




CHAPTER XII. 
cupid’s caper. 


“There are, who, darkling and alone, 

Would wish the weary midnight gone, 

Though dawning morn should only show 
The secret of their unknown woe.” 

At midnight, on her lonely bed, Kathryn tossed and 
moaned. Her arm truly gave her some pain, but 
oh, nothing to compare with the pain at her heart. 

Beside her, on a unique stand, was one of those little 
Lucernae Cubiculariae, or bed-chamber lamps — a dainty 
little thing, fashioned of gold, and fanciful in its em- 
bellishments, on which she gazed. She had sent Marie 
away, preferring to be alone in her meditation, and she 
cried out in her anguish : “Oh, what agony to have 
recur to my mind all that my grandfather has said 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


IS* 

of him! Is it possible? Can it be? So noble! So 
God-like — an Apollo in beauty of form and face! 
Such a perfect specimen of noble manhood! A per- 
sonification of all that is noble, grand and beautiful ! 
Oh, no! No! No! But my promise — my promise 
to the dead, which can never be retraced, but must 
stand firm as the Rock of Ages. Like the law of the 

Medes and Persians, it cannot be changed The 

bright masses of his hair fall like floating rays of 
light around his manly shoulders ; in his brightly-beam- 
ing eye, what an expression of soft, warm, soul-stir- 
ring Oh ! When I recovered my senses, after 

that dreadful tumble, I found myself in the arms, 
and looking straight up in the face, of him of whom, 
for months, I have so fondly dreamed, and there met 
a look of recognition in that soft glance of fire — * 
and even more — oh, what bliss ! Then what a death- 
knell to my heart, when he disclosed his name and 
claimed relationship. My poor heart died within me. 
I must have swooned, for next I knew my head re- 
posed against his throbbing breast, his arms around 
me close. Oh, close he held me! I came near faint- 
ing again, the tumult in my breast was so great. Clif- 
ton ! Clifton ! Robert Clifton !” she murmured. 
Changing her position slightly, her head rested upon 
one arm ; the other swathed in healing, balmy lotion, 
lay across her heaving bosom. A sigh escaped her 
parting lips ; the fringed eyelids now tremble on her 
burning cheeks, and wearily she sinks to sleep, breath- 
ing that dear name. 

Next morning Kathryn and Flora came, arm in arm, 
down the broad stairway. Seeing the others had al- 
ready gone into the breakfast parlor, they followed 
on. The Earl, standing at the head of the table while 
the others were being seated, seeing them enter, turned 
to greet them, and said to Kathryn : 

“How is my fair cousin this morning ?” 


152 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Comfortable, thank you, my Lord,” she returned, 
with flushing face and a charming smile. With his 
own hands he seated her by his side, while Julien 
placed Flora in the chair next. Then a deadly pallor 
overspread Kathryn’s face, a look of anguish came 
into her soft eyes, and, with quiet dignity and great 
decorum, she sipped her coffee and attempted to eat 
a few morsals of food. He quickly observed the 
change in her demeanor, and, not being able to account 
for it otherwise, attributed it to the pain she was 
suffering from her bruised arm, which she now 
carried close to her breast, swung in a pink scarf 
which was tied in a fluffy bow at the back of her 
neck. 

Some hours later, Lord Clifton, in his dressing- 
room, in natural grace and elegance, reclined at his 
ease on a sofa near an open casement with deep 
recess, hung with shimmering silk and lace, and open- 
ing on an Italian veranda, where he might gaze out 
on the park, or, letting his view fall nearer, on the 
garden, now in all its glory; or on the neatly clipped 
yew hedge and parterre of brilliant flowers immedi- 
ately beneath his window. His thoughts must have 
been pleasant, for a grateful smile lurked about his 
handsome mouth as he contemplated the tops of the 
trees in the park. No man ever possessed a more noble 
form or finer face — a face expressive of all that is 
pure and good. His ringlets of sunny hair fell over 
his shoulders ; his dressing-robe of rich crimson silk, 
with ample sleeves and numerous clasps of carved 
gold, clung gracefully about his manly form. His 
apartment was sumptuous. The carving and orna- 
mental woodwork was of the richest material, the fur- 
niture was quaint and of curious workmanship. Near 
him was a table of buhl-work, or marquetry, on which 
was a Sevres vase filled with fresh flowers, still wet 
with the dew of the morning. On one end of the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


153 


stone chimney-piece was a unique silver crucifix, on 
the other an elaborately carved ivory casket. A 
lovely old harp stood near the head of the couch on 
which he lay, and near this stood a tall candelabrum, 
from which depended an antique lamp of highly per- 
fumed oil. The soft carpet, the curtains, the uphol- 
stery — all in Arabesque devices. Many fine paintings 
relieved the expanse of the handsome walls. There 
was repose in all his surroundings. He is musing: 

“She is perfectly lovely ! Classic figure, soft, lumi- 
nous eyes, ruby lips, silken locks of soft brown hair; 
and her mother’s willing. Win her love! Did not 
her bright eyes flash lovingly into mine when she 
recognized me, at first, when I held her in my arms? 
Is not our love mutual ; does not love speak from 
the eye? And but now, at breakfast, there was a 
charming light in her eye at first glance — but it faded ; 
there was a change. What a cold dignity she as- 
sumed! That love-light faded away, and how sud- 
denly cold she appeared afterward. Ah! it was the 

pain from her arm ; she was suffering What a 

model of feminine grace and beauty — a perfection of 
feminine loveliness. Her color is like the fresh-blown 
lily — creamy, clear and beautiful ; eyebrows long, dark 
and beautifully arched ; long, curved lashes ; her hair 
falls in Grecian waves. Who could have anticipated 
my good fortune in meeting and finding her to be 

an inmate of Fleetwood; ca ” A slight noise 

startles him, and, looking over his shoulder, he ex- 
claimed, “Why Gaston!” 

“Oh, my Lord ; pardon. I dreamed not of disturb- 
ing your repose ! I tapped gently at your sitting-room 
door and, supposing you heard me, made bold to enter 
and seek you in your dressing-room.” He stood in 
the doorway, still holding back the portieres which he 
had raised. He had, in truth, a prying nature, and 
had cautiously slipped in, the soft carpet giving no 


154 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


sound to his tread. ‘‘I ask a thousand pardons, my 
Lord, for intruding and interrupting your medita- 
tions. I know they were of a most pleasing nature — 
but I will retire.” 

“Oh, pshaw, Gaston, be seated !” returned the Earl, 
the blood rushing to his face in a tell-tale manner. 
“No apologies are necessary. I expect you to make 
yourself at home with me, boy, and excuse me if I 
lie here,” he said, stretching himself on his back and 
adjusting the cushions under his head in a most 
comfortable manner. “I feel a little exhausted after 
my hurried trip from London to Weirwolf, then from 
that place hither. Pray, be seated, Gaston.” 

But Gaston stood, leaning on a tall-backed chair, 
his arms folded across the top of it. 

“My Lord, I suppose you must feel somewhat 
fatigued. It is a long and tiresome journey, even 
when one is not hurried. Anything new or interesting 
going on in London?” he asked. 

“Why, no. The session of Parliament was short, 
and afterward I attended His Majesty to Windsor, 
where we remained some time.” 

“My Lord, I suppose, now that you are here to take 
charge of your own, it will not be necessary for me 
to remain longer, but my duty will be to repair at 
once to my own property — to Redmond Manor, or 
back to the Hermitage, with my uncle, Sir Gaston, 
and not impose myself on you. Since my grandfather 
is no more, I can no longer look upon this as my 
home.” 

“Not so, Gaston ; it is not at all necessary for you 
to leave the place that has ever been your home — 
not at all, boy! You know that you are just as wel- 
come to make your home here as ever you were in 
your life. We are older, now, Gaston; and I trust 
have passed over our childhood’s follies, and may 
live together in peace and in much happiness.” 


EARL OE FLEETWOOD 


155 


“Thank you, my Lord; I greatly appreciate your 
kindness. It will be much more pleasant for me, I 
know, than to take up my abode at the lonely manor 
in Westmoreland, which you doubtless have heard 
that our grandfather kindly willed to me, with no 
one but servants about. I should die of ennui. My 
dear cousin, you do not know what a change has 
come over this old place with the coming of Lady 
Hawren and her fine ladies.” 

They are charming ladies, certainly. I admit I 
am captivated with the last one of them, and, as you 
say, it is a great change from the old regime.” 

“Lady Hawren is a regular beauty herself, my 
Lord — lovely and refined, as you doubtless have dis- 
covered. Miss Hamilton, my Lord — what think you 
of her?” Lord Graeme asked. 

“Miss Hamilton? Oh, she’s the dark one! She is 
majestic — carries herself well ; moves with stately step ; 
a small, firm mouth ” 

“But a nose, my Lord, you must say, of some promi- 
nence ; ah, too bad ! But she is grand company.” 

“Mrs. Edmonds, Gaston, appears to be an elegant 
lady. She is splendid looking.” 

“Aye, my Lord, Crowningshield thinks so.” 

“Aye, truly?” 

“Aye, my Lord ; they are affianced.” 

“Truly? You are not giving away a secret, Gas- 
ton, I trust.” 

“Oh, no, my cousin, it has been an open secret 
for more than a month, and on last Sabbath the banns 
were published for the first time ; and the nuptial rites, 
I think, are to be celebrated as soon as is convenient 
after the third publication of the banns — something 
over two weeks hence.” 

“And do they expect to be quietly married here in 
the chapel?” 

“My Lord, I think so.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


156 

"Gaston, we must do better than that by Crown- 
ingshield. He has been the friend and confidential 
agent of our grandfather for many years. We must 
show him some appreciation for what he has been to 
us. Indeed, we must have a grand wedding, Gaston ; 
such a wedding as will proclaim to the surrounding 
country the love and gratitude we owe to him. Crown- 
ingshield is a grand man, Gaston. I trust he is doing 
well.” 

"You believe in love, my Lord?” 

"Aye, somewhat,” replied the young man, blushing 
deeply. 

"They are as loving as a pair of doves,” returned 
Gaston, noting the roseate glow on the Earl’s face ; 
"besides,” he continued, "she has a good plantation 
in America, which yields her a fine income.” 

"I suppose Crowningshield will tell me of it. Think 
you he intends to remain here?” 

"He means to go to Liverpool and settle among his 
people. He thinks, of course, that Guy will take his 
place here, my Lord.” 

"Aye, aye, and so he will! I shall not require the 
service of both, and it is very well. Guy is a man of 
great ability, and has been with me so long I could not 
part with him. Crowningshield is happy?” 

"Oh, just as much so as can be.” 

"He is a fine man, and has done well here with our 
grandfather ; has rendered infinite service.” 

With some trepidation and confusion, Gaston pro- 
ceeded to another subject, and asked: 

"You know, my Lord, how grandfather — er — 
willed his property?” 

Perfectly unmoved, the Earl replied : 

"Yes, Crowningshield told me. We had a little con- 
versation before retiring last night. He said the will 
had been probated ; that you have Redmond, fifty thou- 
sand pounds sterling, and the bank stocks, etc. That 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


1 57 , 

our cousin, Lady Kathryn, has Fairy Knoll, with all 
the goods and chattels on that place and this. That 
is well ; it suits me !” 

“My Lord, I am glad you are pleased. I feared — ” 

“Tut, tut! Gaston; feared I am happy.” 

Gaston Graeme walked the floor, back and forth, 
then paused, again leaning on the chair, and said: 
“Lady Hawren was intending to go to Hawren Castle ; 
she said she had promised grandfather to remain here 

so long as he should live, and now My Lord, 

you will not let her — let them go?” 

“Oh, no ! She cannot go away up there ! She 
would never like it . No ; it will not do. It is much 
better as it is — that they should remain here. My time 
will be spent in London mostly, though. They must 
not go away into that wild region. They would not 
like it. I shall be compelled to go forthwith to Weir- 
wolf, but will return in ample time for the celebra- 
tion of Crowingshield’s nuptials.” 

“And I, my Lord, shall be absent for the next two 
weeks.” 

“Whither now, Gaston?” asked the Earl, exhibiting 
some solicitude. 

“I am called to Redmond, my Lord, to meet a cer- 
tain party and to arrange some business matters,” he 
said, with his eyes on the floor. 

“Then, Gaston, we will both be absent while the 
great preparations for the coming fete are in prog- 
ress.” 

“I assure you, my Lord, I should not be absent one 
moment if it were not absolutely necessary; it is hard 
for me to go, I assure you, for my grandfather — it 
was his wish — I promised ” 

“What ?” asked the Earl, gazing earnestly in his face. 

“That I should- wed with Lady Kathryn.” 

“Humph ! Pray, what does Lady Hawren say to 
that?” 


158 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“She? Oh, she’s willing,” said Gaston, taking a turn 
across the floor, his arms folded across his breast. 

“What!” 

“Yes, oh yes!” keeping his eyes bent upon the 
floor, “and I thought, as you are now in somewise 
her protector, she being a member of your family, I 
would at once get your consent,” he said, still walking. 
Clifton was pale, and sat upright. Remembering what 
Lady Hawren had told him, he asked : 

“But how is it with the young lady, herself?” 

“Oh, it is settled with us ; we have loved each other 
from the very first,” he replied, with an arrogant and 
vain-glorious expression. 

The Earl gazed steadily at his cousin for a few mo- 
ments, but could not catch his eye, for Gaston never 
raised his head, and was busily twirling his moustache. 
Clifton felt sure it was all false, yet he was troubled. 
■But, dropping back on his pillow, he ignored it all, 
and, determining to get rid of his cousin, said: “Send 
Ambrose to me as you go.” 

“But, my Lord ” said Gaston, awaiting his an- 

swer. 

“Go! Depart!” 

“You have not consented ” 

“No ; nor will I ever consent to have you even ad- 
dress Lady Kathryn on the subject. I decline — abso- 
lutely!” 

“Why is this, my Lord ; when it was our grand- 
father’s dearest wish, cherished to his last moment?” 

“Do not force me to speak, Gaston ; you may not like 
to hear what I would say.” 

“Say on, my Lord ; surely you know no reason why 
I should not marry our fair cousin !” 

Lord Clifton arose and tapped his bell. Gaston 
stood, with his arms crossed behind him. 

“Gaston, you force me to it.” There was a fire 
burning in his bright blue eye as he spoke : “J fear your 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


159 


life has not been as pure as it should be. You are 
reckless and wild. Your associations have not been 
the best. Your life has always been dark and hidden; 
your ways mysterious. You are secretive in your 
nature. No one knows where you obtain the money 
you spend so freely. My grandfather never allowed 
you one-half of what you have used in the past few 
years.” 

“Why, my Lord, you are suspicious. Surely you 
know that my uncle, Sir Gaston Graeme, has always 
been most liberal towards me ” 

“And a most wicked man, Gaston. You know that 
he sustains a most unenviable reputation throughout 
the country, and his influence over you has been any- 
thing but desirable. No, Gaston. If you wish to 
marry, go seek one of your own sort, and do not aspire 
to one so pure and innocent as my cousin/’ 

Ambrose, his Lordship’s attendant, now entered the 
room, and Lord Graeme, without another word, turned 
and left the apartment. 

On his face there was a sinister expression and a 
look of determination. From his infancy his grand- 
father had instilled in him a great respect for the 
prospective Earl, and though he was wild and way- 
ward he still felt the force of his early training, and 
felt constrained, while in Clifton’s presence, to show 
him great deference. He knew he had spoken falsely 
when he said Kathryn loved him, but was determined 
to win her at all hazards, and bluff the Earl, if pos- 
sible, with the idea that he and his cousin were already 
engaged. 

“Look to yourself, my Lord,” he said to himself, 
as he went his way, grinding his teeth in rage. “You 
may not live always to lord it over me! How glori- 
ous if I might have Lady Kathryn, the title, the pos- 
sessions — the annual rent-rolls, all Look to your 

laurels, my Lord; by heaven, you will not be master 


i6o 'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

of the situation long. Here he has been met with 
great demonstration, greeted like a king returning to 
his capital; the bells for joy rung, guns fired, and 
martial music, awaking the whole country ; and a 
sumptuous banquet prepared; when he is no better 
than I. But I must curb my temper, for I can not 
afford to go away now, and leave him here with the 
treasure in his possession — leave Lady Kathryn to 
him, and go away. Never! That would suit him 
well, no doubt, but she shall never be his ; no, his life 
first!” 



CHAPTER XIII. 


WEDDING BELLS. 

‘‘Ring out the merry bells, the bride approaches; 

The blush upon her cheek has shamed the blooming 
morning, 

For that is dawning palely/’ 

A grand social occasion — a ball, given in honor of 
the home-coming of the young Earl, in connection 
with the celebration of the nuptial rites between Mr. 
Barry Crowningshield, Fleetwood’s first man of busi- 
ness, and Mrs. Emily Edmonds, was now approaching. 

Lady Hawren had decided, as there had been no 
public demonstration on the arrival of the young 
Earl, that his welcome should be celebrated in con- 
nection with the wedding, which had been already ap- 
pointed for the fifth of October, just three weeks after 
the Earl’s arrival, giving ample time for all prepara- 
tions. 

Invitations had been sent out to the nobles and 
gentry for miles around, and all were in anxious an- 
ticipation of the pleasing event — the whole country 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


161 

was agog over the coming fete. Marshals and min- 
strels were notified and appointed, pages and heralds 
were put in training. 

The large hall under the tower, called the Hall of 
State, or great court-room, and the State banqueting- 
room of the old castle were transformed, as if by 
magic art, into fairy habitations of soft lights and 
lovely flowers, for the “Count,” with a small army 
of assistants, after putting the garden in perfect order, 
came in from the conservatory of brilliant exotics to 
decorate the sumptuous State hall and salon. 

On the walls were the finest paintings of historic 
interest ; the genealogical tree, with many heroic 
achievements and emblems of honor. And here were 
mantel-boards and casements, rich with quaint carv- 
ings and lattice work of the Elizabethan age ; consoles 
and tables of Buhl-work ; great columns of alabaster 
whiteness gleamed in the subdued light of innumer- 
able lamps of exquisite make, suspended from candela- 
bra of polished silver, wreathed with blooming plants. 

As the throng of welcomed guests was ushered in, 
the scene became one of brilliant animation. In this 
assemblage of beauty were men famous in history, 
men of science, weather-beaten army officers in gor- 
geous uniforms and badges, high-born dames with 
jeweled hair, wearing robes inwrought with gold, 
young ladies of marvelous beauty in brilliant cos- 
tumes ; gentle knights with numerous decorations, 
gleaming swords clanking at their heels, and “radiant 
baldric o’er his shoulders tied,” breathing love’s ardent 
flame. Mellow music rippled forth from the min- 
strels’ gallery at the farther end of the great State 
Hall. 

In the parlors and grand drawing-rooms, soft wax 
lights and sweet odors from the tropical luxuriance 
lent a charm indescribable to the scene. The gayest 
of the gay promenaded up and down the long court- 


1 62 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


room, where were soon to begin the country dance, 
reels, hornpipes, strathspreys and jigs, for the quad- 
rille had not yet come from France, in and out 
among the tall columns, where many lights flashed 
and twinkled through masses of swaying flowers. The 
effect was entrancing. 

Presently all were summoned to the lofty chapel, 
where the spousal rites were to be solemnized by 
Fleetwood's chaplain, Reverend Mr. Hayston. Lady 
Hawren, in a white brocade pelisse which fell from 
her graceful figure in stately folds to the sweeping 
train, had assisted in receiving the guests, and now, 
leaning on the arm of Doctor Godkins, a highly 
favored guest, who was all animation and lively talk, 
led the way to the arched chapel, followed by the vast 
throng. The Earl accompanied the Countess of Car- 
lisle, a delicate woman, with tall plumes nodding and 
bobbing with every movement of her stately head; her 
magnificent pelisse falling away in front, revealed 
a rich petticoat of soft mull and white lace. 

What a charming bride ! Flow refined and elegant 1 
How grand and proud looked the bridegroom as he 
graciously received the congratulations of his many 
friends. Supper was soon announced, when all re- 
paired to the sumptuous banquetting hall, where tables 
were loaded with richest viands, gleaming silver of 
quaint and ancient pattern, and lovely floral decora- 
tions, corresponding with the magnificent splendor of 
the surroundings, all recherche in every appointment. 

Louis marshaled the guests, according to their rank. 
Many pages were here, in bright array, giving noble 
attention to the w r ants of all, while throngs of servants 
attended. Strains of martial music thrilled the souls 
of old warriors, who soon grew merry and loud over 
their bowls of sparkling wine and nut-brown ale. 

After a glorious feast the bridal party repaired to 
the balcony of State, on one side of the great court- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


163 

room, which had been draped especially for them with 
hangings of cloth-of-gold and crimson velvet. Over- 
head a blazoned banner embroidered with the coat-of- 
arms of Fleetwood, draped in rippling folds, mingled 
with the rich hangings festooned around the balus- 
trade. 

Here the bride and groom were seated, surrounded 
by masses of bloom and glossy foliage, where they 
might view the bewildering scene below, as the happy 
guests were entering into the old-fashioned country 
dances. There was Lord Phantomfell, promenading 
with a dark-eyed lady of incomparable elegance — it 
is Miss Hamilton. His long lovelock, tied with a soft 
ribbon, hangs at his ear. 

Leaning on the arm of the Earl of Fleetwood was 
the magnificent Countess of Carlisle — merry creature, 
known as the match-making countess. 

“How is it with you, Louis; have you supped yet?” 
asked Guy, bursting from the crowded hall and meet- 
ing Louis in the doorway of the dining-hall, who, as 
master of the banqueting tables, had been kept busy 
till a late hour. 

“Not I, Mr. Brignol ; too many others have occupied 
the tables, and have been too deliberate in their 
speeches and their toasts, while here Eve stood, gaping 

and waiting my turn But, Guy, why have you 

not ere this sought out the engaging Miss Hamilton, 
than whom no mortal is more majestic, to your way 
of thinking, at least. Is it not so, Guy? Only see 
her now, promenading with Phantomfell.” 

“Yes, Phantomfell, no doubt, has the advantage of 
me, Louis. Indeed, she is equipped with all the arts 
that beautify and polish life! Her beauty delights 
my soul!” 

“There’s lightning in those eyes.” 

“Aye, I have seen them flash forth ere this. Think 
you they may not contain depths of love as well, that 


164 'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

might flash and scintillate to the destruction of a mor- 
tal soul?” 

“There, indeed, are ‘Nymphs divine, dangerous to 
a soul like mine,’ beyond a doubt. Only note, nestling 
amid her dusky locks, a cockade of flaming ribbon, 
from which rises, in graceful curves, two bird-of- 
Paradise plumes, remarkable for their brightness of 
tints, lovely texture and brilliant metallic reflections; 
a wealth of Spanish lace falls around her superb 
form. She might readily be taken for a Spanish 
Dona.” 

“Behold with what dainty grace she leans upon his 
arm, to his great delight, no doubt!” observed Guy 
dryly. 

“Aye, Guy, he appears ‘smit wi’ love’; behold the 
old-fashioned lovelock about his ear.” 

He adheres to the old fashion in more ways than 
one — in more than lovelocks. 

“Unfashionable in other respects, hey ! Aye, velvet 
coat, satin-lined, a waistcoat much embroidered — ob- 
serve his weepers, or pleureuses, clogged gold — lace 
of stately price, wrought all over with needlework, 
speckled here and there with ‘the sonne, the monne, 
the starres,’ and many other antiquities strange to be- 
hold.” 

“Aye, the deep frills of fine lace at his knees and 
lace roses on his shoes, after the fashion of the days 
of Charles II.” 

“His soft yellowish hair falls in ringlets from the 
top of his head, in imitation of the wigs worn in the 
previous century; square-toed shoes, and silk stock- 
ings on his long, slender, pipe-stem legs. He carries 
a walking cane with eyeglass on the head of it, through 
which he scrutinizes the ladies, feeling in his egotism 
that he has but to propose to be accepted by the best.” 

“She carries herself haughtily, and is well equipped 
with grace and vivacity.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


165 

“Aye, back to the old subject — harping on the old 
string — it is Miss Hamilton who holds in thrall your 
heart and mind.” 

“That I cannot help, Louis. I feel like quoting 
from The Muses’ Elysium, Nimphall ii. When she 
is mine, for her 


. . head lie have a Tyer 

Of netting made of Strawberry wyer, 

And in each knot that doth compose 
A mesh, shall stick a halfe-blowne Rose 
Red, damaske, white, in order set; 

About the sides shall run a fret 
Of primroses; the Tyer throughout 
With Thrift and Daysyes fringed about.” 

“Only see! Her ears look like rose petals, under 
her midnight hair. You are good at description, Louis. 
What call you the style of her bodice? The cut in 
front — the soft-looking, white, foamy, gauzy — what 
do you call it ?” 

“Let’s see — point, point — no. Surplice; that’s the 
word, with chemisette of white tucked mull? crepe? 
Ah, illusion.” 

“Illusion? Yes!” 

“Yet I know not the name of all these delicate fab- 
rics, but ’tis pretty, anyway, and with that great ruff 
standing about her ears she looks not unlike Elizabeth 
Christiana, Princess of Brunswic-Bevern.” 

“Ah, Louis; when saw you the Princess of Bruns- 
wic-Bevern ?” 

“When last we attended court, upon the wall at 
Hampton Court, I saw her picture — a great painting. 
I accompanied my Lord to the Palace.” 

“Louis, you persist in following my Lord to court. 
You have not, then, despaired of the accolade?’ 

“Nay, Guy, I trust yet to feel that especial mark 
of grace, the sword laid upon my shoulders, accom- 


1 66 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


panied with the words: ‘In the name of God we dub 
thee knight. Arise, Sir Louis Kearney.’ ” 

“A consummation devoutly to be wished for * 

She has the sweetest voice in all the world ” 

“Miss Hamilton? Aye; she well knows the value 
of a beautiful voice.” 

“Can blazing carbuncle with her compare?” 

“Aye, ‘she blazes like a comet,’ ” quotes Louis. 

“The smile that flits over her face is like the glimpse 
of a moonlight rainbow. She’s a goddess of beauty!” 

“Bacon says beauty is as a summer fruit — easy 
to corrupt, and cannot last. Guy, ‘thou will be like 
a lover presently, and tire the hearers with a book of 
words.’ I must admit she is a heavenly beauty.” 
“Aye, Louis ; you know a beauty when you see one, 

my friend; your taste is commendable. Your ” 

“Ho, now! But this is but empty praise without 
the pudding, and there’s a state of vacuity within 
that requires to be filled. Hunger and thirst are pow- 
erful persuaders. Behold, then, there is a little table 
furnished bounteously with dainties from the feast ; 
let us to it, ‘Where bright goblets sparkle and foam/ 
Here, Kenneth ! Macduff ! hither with your wine.” 

“Ah, how the minstrels play on every side, and 
how vain are they of their art.” Guy and Louis seat 
them at a table. Near them, at another table, are 
some pages — Julien, Rorey, Petroneus and others — * 
eating grapes and nuts; while not far off sat the 
“Count,” a bottle of wine at his elbow, of which he 
was making fine use. Quite near them, on the other 
hand, were the two clergymen, still lingering over 
their winecups — Mr. Hayston, chaplain of Fleetwood, 
and the visiting clergyman of the neighboring church. 
The visiting clergyman was saying: 

“We, as envoys between heaven and earth, my 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 167 

brother, should show, by precept and example, how 
we scorn all earthly vanities.” 

“Yea, my brother, yea; all its vainglory and pomp 
—allow me to refill your glass.” 

“Ah ! aye, aye. A few drops, it is said, after mid- 
night hour, cannot harm even the humble votaries of 
— ah — the — ah — ” 

“The reverend gentlemen linger long at the board, 
and are, I perceive, a little flushed with wine,” ob- 
served Guy. 

“Aye, their dignity consists much, methinks, in their 
long and reverend beard. Hasten there, Macduff! — 1 
Kenneth ! Oh ! here they are !” 

“Oh that life was one continual banquet, enjoy- 
ment of the passing its only demand !” quoted Louis. 

Sitting near the long colonnade, they could see cou- 
ples promenading back and forth, in gay converse. 

“My Lord looks grand to-night. Only see, he has 
relieved Miss Hamilton of Lord Phantomfell’s com- 
pany, which, I trow, she was not relishing over much, 
to say the least ; and now they promenade. How 
proudly she leans upon his Lordship’s arm!” 

“And gifted, aye, with beauty’s countless charms, 
while Cupids lie in ambush amid her dusky hair.” 

“Aye, but my Lord’s heart is not resting on her 
beauties. For him all her countless charms, ambushed 
Cupids and all else are of no effect.” 

“How, then, Louis?” 

“He loves his pretty cousin, whom he so fortu- 
nately picked up on the roadside on the day he first 
journeyed hither.” 

“I blame him not for that, indeed,” said Guy. 

“And it were not so, I’d set in and win her myself. 
I’d soon give my Lord Graeme something to study 
about, and leave him to ‘chew the cud of sweet and 
bitter fancy.’ He’s raving crazy about her. She cares 
not a fig for him, neither.” 


1 68 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Yet he has been hovering over her all evening; 
hanging in ecstasy on her every word and look.” 

“‘Like some passive broken lump of salt. 

Dropped in by chance to a bowl of onemel. 

To spoil the drink a little/ 

quoted Louis, and continued: 

“An’ I were in my Lord’s place, you should see 
that no Jack-Guardant could take from me my 
heart’s delight.’* 

“Only see now, there they go ! How lovely she is, 
in her rich robes.” 

“True, as I live!” cried Louis, in surprise. “I 
had not expected this. She vowed to me, only last 
evening, she’s never more listen to his ravings.” 

“Away they go to the garden. My Lord observes 
them, too. See how ill at ease he is,” said Guy. 

“An’ had I cause, like my Lord, I’d seek him there 
and oppose him fully.” 

“Louis, methinks you are too officious in her be- 
half, who scorns your services.” 

“Scorns my services, indeed ! She’s asked my 
help — and that’s true!” 


“When a man is past his sense. 

There’s no way to reduce him thence,” 

quotes Guy. 

“But twinging him by ears or nose, 

Or laying on of heavy blows,” 

continued Louis. 

“And that is the part I should like most.” 

“He is in a raging calenture of lave, like a dis- 
tracted passenger he stands, and beholds in seas imag- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


169 


inary land, cool groves and flowery meads ; and while 
he thinks he walks, plunges in and wonders why he 
sinks.” 

“There !” exclaimed Louis. “My Lord has relin- 
quished Miss Annie to the tender mercies of Lord 
Phantomfell again, much to her dislike, and is fol- 
lowing. I trust he will wallop Gaston well, as he 
richly deserves. But, Guy, why sit you here idle, 
worshipping the proud beauty at so great a distance, 
when you might go to her relief, and be gratefully 
welcomed; or is it all a chimera of the brain, your 
loving this sweet Annie?” 

“Louis, my timidity forbids. You, if you fear 
not to arouse Phantomfell’s dislike, might go and re- 
lieve the situation ; then by and by you could leave 
her to me ” 

“Hout, hout! Hand your claver, ye daft auld car- 
line,” cried Sandy, nearby, gesticulating wildly, as he 
prevented an old hag-like gypsy from passing into the 
ballroom. 

“Ho, there, Sandy! Why stand you here ‘flyting 
wi’ the auld cutty/ as you would say,” cried Louis. 
“Give her a well-filled stoup and bicker and send her 
off.” 

“Hit’s thae megglesome auld carline, thae daft auld 
fule, wanting to gang i’ thae ha’ wi’ thae great folks. 
Thae bablin auld hypercrith, to claim she can fore- 
tell thae future events. Hout, hout, thou whillywam 
auld fule. Ye no can gang amang thae gentle folks, 
I tell ye. Get out i’ thae grounds wi’ your clashes 
and clevers ; get out, I say, and gie thae fortunes o' 
thae daffing deil’s buckies, and thae taupie gill-flirts 
o' queans, skirling i’ thae kailyard.” 

“Ho, there, Sandy, curb thy loquacity. Put the old 
gaberlunzie outside and send Macduff and Kenneth 
hither. We are in need of more wine and a brace 
of fowls. Here, Kenneth ! Macduff ! attend.” 


170 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Sandy hustled the old gypsy into the courtyard, 
and while Macduff and Kenneth were in attendance on 
the young men he returned. 

“So, Sandy, you would not admit the old hag among 
the ladies and young men, to settle their love affairs 
for them,” said Louis, as he tore into the juicy breast 
of a fresh-broiled heath-cock. 

“Nae, nae. Master Kearney! Fs held me place 
here as footman mony a year, and sould I admit thae 
dafted auld carline I hae nae dout the Laird would turn 
me out in nae time at a \ Nae, nae, Master Kearney; 
Fs had me uppes and doons i’ thae world, and mair 
doons than uppes, too.” 

“Very well for you, Sandy; a faithful old footman 
you have been, truly; and, as Mr. Brignol and I are 
just leaving, come and make out for yourself a good 
supper.” So saying, Louis and Guy rose from the 
table, leaving Sandy in full charge. 

Amid all this splendor and lovely surroundings, 
Kathryn was most unhappy. She was superb in her 
evening toilette of snow-white tulle. There were 
pearls and some late white garden flowers amid the 
profusion of her splendid hair. She stood at one end 
of the crowded salon, gracefully leaning on a statue, 
not much whiter than her own face, hidden by trail- 
ing vines and choice exotics. Away in a long colon- 
nade she could see the Earl with Annie, promenading 
back and forth. Annie seemed radiant with happi- 
ness, and Kathryn supposed the Earl was happy. She 
had just escaped the vigilance of Lord Graeme, who 
had been hanging about her all evening as one exer- 
cising a prerogative. She could turn no way but he 
was by her side. Now she thought she had eluded him, 
for a time, at least, and was just congratulating her- 
self on her finesse in getting him off with a very 
pretty blond. She sat down with Hortense and Marie, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


171 

who were here among the flowers, admiring the “fair 
ladies and brave men.” She watched the Earl and 
Annie, and thought bitterly: 

“Why cannot I promenade with him and be so free 
and happy as Annie appears to be? No! With 
him I still would be unhappy. I am miserable out o£ 
his presence, yet still more so by his side.” She felt 
her breath leaving her ; her heart was thumping wildly 
as she thought of her promise. She heard a well- 
known voice at her side, a voice that had grown most 
hateful to her. 

“Why, Lady Kathryn ; my fair cousin ! How did 
I ever lose sight of you? How did you escape me, 
and why have you hidden your sweet self here among 
the flowers with your maidens? Come, my lady, let 
us go out into the glorious moonlight and stroll among 
the bowers.” 

She shrank back, not wishing to accompany him, but 
at the same time felt she needed the cool air to re- 
vive her drooping spirits. She hesitated, but he put 
forth his hand, assisted her to rise, and, placing her 
hand on his arm, led her along down the long salon. 
She had whispered Marie and Hortense to follow. 

Passing not far from where the Earl and Annie 
were at this moment turning at the farther end of the 
colonnade to retrace their steps, the Earl saw them 
pass into the corridor leading to a little balcony reach- 
ing out over the garden. He could not know with 
what reluctance she had accompanied Lord Graeme. 
She looked happy, so far as he could see. A wretched 
pang of jealousy stung his quivering heart. 

He had noted Gaston’s close attendance ; how could 
he know that she had not encouraged him. He, him- 
self, had kept aloof, not wishing to come in contact 
with Gaston. 

Lord Graeme led her onto the little balcony. Here 
she wished to stop, but, “no,” he said. “It is delight- 


172 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


ful in the moon-lit gardens. We will go on out in 
the fresh air.” He led her down a little flight of 
steps. On their way down the lovely garden path 
they passed many other couples walking, and could 
hear the murmur of voices all about them as they 
paused beside a sparkling fountain, and stood side by 
side under a beautiful yulan tree, transplanted here 
from its mother country. 

The maids following, now busied themselves among 
the flowers. Soft music came to them, wafted on the 
balmy air of night ; a rich odor from the flowers per- 
vaded the atmosphere; the moonlight was glorious — 
all spoke of love. 

Lord Graeme was enraptured, but Kathryn was dis- 
tressed. 

“Oh, sweet cousin, is not this Paradise? I have 
so longed, since my return, to have the pleasure of 
a long talk with you, but have not been able — you have 
evaded me, it seems. My dearest, now you will give 
me the long-looked-for promise — the sweet assurance 
you will be mine !” 

“Gaston, Lord Graeme, I endure your company, 
but it is not agreeable to me. I ” 

“Tell me not so, darling. You must listen to me! 
Plear my words of love.” 

“Oh, take me back, Gaston. I must go back to my 
mother. She would not like to have me here.” 

“No, no, darling; stay. You know how madly I 
love you. My heart is breaking for you, dearest of 
all ! This night I must have your promise — it was 
our grandfather’s wish. You must ; you shall be mine 1” 

“No, no. I have told you repeatedly that I can- 
not love you. Let us go back ; oh, take me back !” 

“I cannot ! I will not !” he cried, passionately. “You 
are mine! You shall be my bride, dearest of all! Tell 
me that you will be mine !” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


m 


“Never, never!” She started to fly. He caught 
her hand and, throwing his arm around her waist, 
held her fast. Terrified beyond measure, she uttered 
a little shriek. 

“By heaven you shall stay and listen to me,” he 
cried, in a hoarse voice. 

“No. no! I will not! I hate you! Marie! 
Marie !” she cried, wildly. 

After Lord Graeme and Kathryn had passed from 
the colonnade down the corridor, the Earl, observ- 
ing the two maids following, tried to content him- 
self to remain inside, but could not do so. Leaving 
Annie with Lord Phantomfell, he hastened down the 
corridor, where he walked to and fro a little ; then, 
noticing his guests all seemed to be enjoying them- 
selves, he thought to withdraw himself from them for 
a short time. He felt he could not leave Kathryn 
alone with Gaston, who, he thought, appeared to be 
a little flushed with wine. 

What excuse could he make for following them up? 
It was a little cool outside, in the open air. He 
snatched a lovely Bengal from a rack, ’twas hers, he 
knew. He had seen her wear it. Yes, he would take 
her shawl. She would need it over her thin dress — 
the dew falling, too. Passing out, he stood awhile 
under the shadow of the balcony, hesitating, while a 
fretting jealousy worked within. 

Now his attentive ear caught a little shriek. He 
started and ran rapidly down the garden walk. Paus- 
ing to listen, he heard a passionate voice saying: 

“By heaven, you shall stay and listen to me !” Then, 
“No, no! I will not!” Momentarily he stood, as one 
petrified, then fled in the direction of the voices. 

Kathryn, terrified beyond measure, and struggling 
violently, had released herself from Gaston’s clasp, 
and, running wildly down the long walk leading 
back to the balcony, collided with the Earl, whom she 


174 ] EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

met running toward her, and fell, almost fainting, into 
his arms. 

“Cousin! Cousin !” he cried. “What has hap- 
pened? What has frightened you so? ,, Weak and 
trembling, she reposed upon his bosom, just one bliss- 
ful moment, sobbing convulsively, his heart throbbing 
wildly against her own. 

“Dear cousin, pray, what has happened ?” Shud- 
dering now, she drew away from his clasp. 

“You are cold, Lady Kathryn. I have brought 
your shawl — allow me,” and he gently placed it about 
her shoulders. 

“Oh, my Lord ! Thank you,” she said, excitedly. 

Taking her hand, he drew it within his arm and 
led her to the balcony. Both looked back, but saw 
nothing of Gaston. 

“Shall we sit here, in the shadow of the balcony, or 
walk in the garden while you tell me what so fright- 
ened you?” 

“Here in the shadow, my Lord, if you please.” 

He placed her on a rustic seat beneath the balcony, 
and sat beside her ; then said : 

“Pray tell me, cousin, what frightened you ; were 
you with Gaston; and is not he your accepted lover?” 

“Oh, no, no, my Lord ! Indeed, he is not ! My 
aversion for him is too great.” With what rapture 
he hung upon her words. 

“Your aversion! And do you not love him, my 
Lady?” 

“Love him? No, no; oh, my Lord, no! How 
could you think so? I have never given him cause 
to think it.” 

“My dear cousin, how has he dared to offend you?” 

“Oh, my Lord, he is your cousin. I would not 
for the world that, on my account, he should be 
brought into disfavor with you.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


175 


“We were never very good friends, Lady Kathryn, 
I assure you, and he is not worthy of your friend- 
ship ; neither your least regard. I would not say this, 
but, occupying the position that I do, I feel it my 
duty to act as your protector and guard your interests. 
Dear cousin, he is not a fit companion for you. I am 
sorry to say this of my own cousin/' 

“Oh, my Lord ! How I do thank you for your kind 
care and protection. How, oh how, could you think 
I love him, my Lord?" 

“He, himself, told me that he was your accepted 
suitor." 

“My Lord, how could he? He has presumed too 
far. He has persecuted me with his attentions since 
I came to this place. I admit, I at first enjoyed his 
company somewhat, but never, never could I think of 
loving him, and I have plainly told him so," she said, 
quivering with excitement. 

“He shall not persecute you longer, my dear cousin, 
with his unwelcome attentions," rejoined the Earl. 

“Oh, do not offend him; pray do not have trouble 
with him on my account, my dear cousin — my Lord." 

“Cousin, are you quite sure you have not encour- 
aged him? May you not at some time have given 
him reason to hope that he might one day claim your 
hand?" 

“Oh, my Lord, I assure you I have never thought 
of marrying him. I admit I did, for a time, enjoy his 
company — until he began to make love to me on all 
occasions. I knew I did not love him. I did not 
then know what love was," she said, thoughtlessly. 

“Then, you did not know then?" — how he caught 
on the word. How his heart bounded with hope and 
happiness. “Have you since learned to love — him?" 

“Him? Oh, no, no! I have said I do not love 
him ; nor can I ever love him." Her bosom heaved 
with emotion, her eyes flashed with indignation at 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


1 76 

the remembrance of Gaston trying to force her to 
remain and listen to his love; and she said, as she 
glanced up into the Earl’s face: 

“My Lord, I did not wish to go into the garden 
with him, but he urged, and I consented. Then, my 
Lord, he wanted me to listen to him, and I would not. 
He became angry and swore that I should, and when 
I started to leave him he seized and held me. I suc- 
ceeded in releasing myself from his grasp and fled, my 
Lord, and did not see you coming up the path. You 
must have thought me rude, indeed, to run against 
you as I did.” 

Her face crimsoned at the thought of lingering on 
his bosom. “I ask your Lordship’s pardon,” she said. 

“Indeed, ’twas I who ran against you i I saw you 
leave the hall with him, cousin, and, fearing some 
trouble, followed. I cannot say why, unless it was 
I noticed he was flushed with wine. I heard you 
scream, and was running to your assistance, and ran 
against you, and must ask your pardon. Will you 
pardon me?” 

“Oh, yes, sir ; but you will not mention it — distress 
my mother by telling her of it ?” 

“What — that I met you fleeting and caught you in 
my arms? Would that distress her, think you?” he 
asked sweetly. 

She glanced up, and met his eyes, filled with a 
world of love. 

“Oh, no,” she said, blushing deeply, “but — but — 
my Lord, that I went with Gaston, and he was so 
rude, and — and I fled from him in such an inelegant 
manner, my Lord. She has ever opposed my going 
with him.” 

“I promise you, my Lady, on condition that you 
never accompany him anywhere again.” 

“Indeed, my Lord, I can never speak to him again ; 
and do promise you. I shall never more go in his 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


177 


company,” she said, looking straight into his honest, 
love-lit eyes. The moonlight had sought them out 
by driving back the shadow. Jewels trembled on her 
bosom, the color rose in her cheeks, and she said : 

“My Lord, should not we now return to the hall?” 

He assisted her to rise, and, placing her hand upon 
his arm, they ascended the short flight of steps lead- 
ing to the balcony, and as they walked down the long 
corridor she appeared nervous and trembled. 

“You are not yet composed. Should you not have 
rested awhile longer?” 

“I thank you, my Lord ; I shall be sufficiently com- 
posed, I trust — — but, my Lord, you will have no 
words with Gaston — you will not involve yourself in 
trouble with him on my account?” 

“Dear cousin, have no fear on that score, but he 
must be more careful of his conduct in the future. 
He shall not annoy you, my sweet cousin, with his 
presence. Be assured, I will be ever near to protect 
you.” and to reassure her he took her hand and gave 
it a gentle pressure, then led her to a seat beside the 
Countess tff Carlisle, with whom she entered into a 
pleasant conversation ; while he returned to the enter- 
tainment of his guests. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

A MEETING IN THE ORCHARD. 

‘‘The silent orchard aisles are sweet 
With smell of ripening fruit; 

Through the sere grass, in thy retreat, 
Flutter at coming feet 

The robins, strange and mute. 

"There is no wind to stir the leaves, 

The harsh leaves overhead; 




i 7 8 


! EARL r 0F FLEETWOOD 


Only the querulous cricket grieves, 

And shrilling locust weaves 
A song of summer dead.” 

Mid all the glory of an autumnal sunset, at “The 
closing hour of light,” as the sun was bidding fare* 
well to the flowers and dipping behind the “fire-edged 
mountains,” Kathryn sat on a rustic seat in a remote 
corner of the great orchard, beneath a fine old apple 
tree, which was heavily laden with its ruddy fruit. 
Autumn had set in, with frost, vivid foliage, “golden 
mists and mellow fruits,” tree and vine bending under 
its load. Her book lay beside her on the seat, while 
she sat in an ecstasy Elysian — dreaming dreams, en- 
wrapped in joyous visions. 

One week had passed away since the great fete at 
Fleetwood. Mr. Crowningshield and his bride had 
bidden farewell to their friends and departed for Liv- 
erpool, which was to be their future home. Since, the 
time had been spent pleasantly enough in the castle. 
True, Kathryn had been intent on her studies, yet there 
was time enough for gay rides, and rambles, hunting 
and nutting. On Sabbath they had attended divine 
service at the little white church on the hill near by. 

The Earl, with Guy and Louis, had been occupied, 
to and fro, to Carlisle and back, arranging business 
matters relating to the place. Guy had been installed 
in his office, as family solicitor and secretary. Gaston, 
to the unspeakable delight of all, had disappeared on 
the night of the wedding, and nothing more had been 
seen of him. It was supposed he had gone to his own 
possessions in Westmoreland. 

Kathryn was a great student. The study being a 
little warm this evening, she had betaken herself to 
the orchard, and sat under the great tree, and had 
studied until the sun began to sink behind fiery clouds. 
Then, falling into a brown study, she sat, with hands 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


179 


clasped in her lap. Her dress was “of a most noble 
color — a subdued and goodly crimson,” and most be- 
comingly made. 

Hearing a footstep on the grass, she turned, and 
was startled near out of her life to see Gaston ap- 
proach, wearing a slouched hat, pulled low over his 
resolute brow. 

She would have fled, but he was so very near; be- 
sides, she felt she had not power to move. 

“My good wishes to you, fair cousin; how happily 
we meet! I know no reason why we should not 
dwell together in harmony.” His voice was soft and 
purring. Kathryn rose, and stood with great dignity 
and proud disdain, her cheeks aglow with scorn. 

“Dear cousin, let this gentle eve change all our quar- 
rels and dislikes into love.” 

“What fate can have brought you hither?” 

“Sweet one, I would be felicitate in thy love.” 

“I counsel you to leave, and never return to this 
place,” she said, with flashing eyes. 

“I doubt not some would be quit of me, but you, 
my cousin,” he said, imploringly; “you would not 
have me leave? To leave you would be to me distrac- 
tion, frenzy. Forbid who will, none shall withhold 
from me the woman that I love.” 

“Your sensibilities seem rather to be those of 
wounded pride than love,” she said. 

“Say you so, my cousin? My passion amounts to 
idolatry. Nay, you have enfettered my soul — all my 
waking dreams are tinged with thoughts of your 
bright eyes. You have wrought abouc me a silken 
net, in which I find myself inextricably entangled. 
You have beguiled my fancy, thou fickle heart! Un- 
constant goddess! By a look, a smile — by your en- 
couraging words — I have been led, basking in the 
sunbeam of your presence. You have awakened in 
my breast a passion that will never be quenched — will 


i8o 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


never be lulled to rest. Oh, for the sweet simplicity 
of days gone by!” 

“You waste your breath in vain. Pray, sir, leave 
me !” 

“No ! Love’s labor shall not be lost by the entrance 
of another more highly favored! Do you think I 
will leave you to another, and, like a mateless turtle- 
dove, go mourning all my life? Never! You are 
mine! By the eternal, you are mine, and shall never 
become the bride of another! I will die ere it shall 
be so. No, Lady Kathryn,” he said, more tenderly, 
attempting to take her hand, which she haughtily drew 
away, shrinking from his touch; “I would rather die 
than to attempt life’s darkening voyage without you, 
dearest of all ! Can I wrestle with my affections? My 
yearning soul will never rest without you.” He at- 
tempted to grasp her, but, with a shriek, she drew 
back, almost fainting from fear, and leaned against 
the body of the great tree for support. “No ill re- 
quital can efface my love. In thus pleading for your 
love, I feel I deserve other reward lhan this. Will 
you not relent? Or, by the Almighty Father of the 
gods, my love will revert to anger! You are mine, 
and no other’s !” He was reaching out to grasp her, 
when a strong hand was laid upon his shoulder, and a 
deep voice rang in his ear : 

“How dare you, Gaston! Gaston!” Then, seeing 
that Lady Kathryn was swooning, the Earl of Fleet- 
wood sprang forward and supported her in his arms. 
Continuing, he said to Gaston: 

“Gaston, why are you here? What would you? 
Your conduct is not agreeable to courtly usage.” 

“I am responsible for my conduct, my Lord; nor 
thank I you for your interference.” 

“Would you enforce upon a lady the effusion of 
your love? Shall I sit supinely by and allow you to 
offend my cousin; to intrude upon her your atten- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


181 

tions, your obnoxious presence? Your insolence, Gas- 
ton, is intolerable. You have offended our cousin 
beyond reparation by your pertinacity/' 

“No doubt, my Lord, viewed from your vantage- 
ground/' 

“I wish not to be at variance with you, Gaston, 
but ” 

“Lord Clifton, why should you or any other dare 
to meddle with my affairs,” interrupted Gaston, with 
fiery eyes and angry brow. 

“Under existing circumstances I am her natural 
guardian. I cannot be unmindful of the ties of con- 
sanguinity existing between us, and ask you to re- 
sign forever all pretentions to her hand.” 

“What right have you, my Lord, or any other living 
man, to dictate terms to me?” 

“You should not take it ill, Gaston, that I advise 
you thus. Her mother has refused you permission 
to address her; you have already much offended her 
by your effort to force your attentions upon her. Can- 
not you leave her in peace, or shall I be obliged to 
use force to remove from her presence one who is so 
unwelcome to her? I tell you plainly, I will not have 
her persecuted by your attentions !” The mild Clifton 
was awakened to anger. His cheeks kindled into 
flame, his brow grew dark. 

“I fear not you, nor yours, my Lord Clifton. By 
the eternal gods, I will not give her up! I would 
venture purgatory for her love, and will yet win it, 
doubt you not! It seems that you can stand and 
sustain her in your arms, while I dare not touch her,” 
returned Gaston, with a scowl. 

“I am her protector, and will shield her from you 
just as long as she requests me to do so, Gaston.” 
And, after a pause, he continued : “It was your calum- 
nious misstatements set my grandfather against me. 
You cannot refute the accusation/’ 


182 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Gaston, ignoring this, said: 

“And so, my Lord, I am to go away in bitterness 
of soul, while you lord it here in bliss! I will leave 
you, my Lord, with your protegee, but look to your- 
self. You’ll rue this insult and interference in my 
affairs !” He looked wistfully upon Kathryn’s white 
face, her head resting gracefully on Clifton’s shoulder ; 
then, turning away, he muttered under his breath : 
“She shall be mine! I swear it! I will not be dis- 
appointed.” And, drawing his hat over his brow, he 
walked hastily off toward a postern gate. 

The Earl tenderly placed Kathryn on the garden 
seat, as he heard the hoofs of Gaston’s horse clatter- 
ing over the turf — the seat from which she had so 
hastily risen — and kneeled beside her, gently chafing 
her hands and her face. Very soon she sighed deeply 
and opened her eyes, and once more looked up into 
the liquid depths of his soft blue ones. With a sigh 
and a shudder, she closed them again, while he re- 
garded her with a depth of longing love. She mur- 
mured : 

“Once again have you saved me from him. You 
are my preserver! My protector! I shall never for- 
get your great kindness. My Lord, assist me to rise ; 
I must go in. It is now dusky twilight ; my mother 
will be searching for me.” As she spoke, he assisted 
her to her feet, and, drawing her hand in his arm, led 
her gently along through the purple hazy twilight of 
the October evening, up a garden walk by way of the 
small, or rear, courtyard, up the steps leading to the 
long colonnade, on the east end of which was the ladies’ 
drawing-room, or Aunt Margaret’s boudoir, whence 
floated a sad, sweet strain, accompanied by the soft 
notes from a lute. The drapery was drawn aside, 
and lights flashed from the wide-open door and win- 
dows, displaying a table spread for tea. Upon a 
richly upholstered sofa sat Annie and Flora, and while 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 183 

the dark-eyed Annie breathed a melancholy ditty, 
the fingers of the fairy-like Flora flew from chord to 
chord, the faint, sweet symphony from the lute fol- 
lowing the voice’s melody; the cadences rose and fell 
rich upon the ear, filling the room with sweetest har- 
mony. 

“Oh, my Lord,” exclaimed Lady Hawren, hearing 
his step and catching a glimpse of him, “we were 

waiting for you to come in and have tea with us 

Why, darling,” she cried, on seeing Kathryn in his 
company, “where have you been? I have just sent 
Marie up to your room to fetch you to tea, suppos- 
ing you were there, and had possibly fallen asleep.” 

“No, mother, I was in the orchard a little while.” 

“Where I found her, dear aunt, and have brought 
her to you,” said the Earl. “She must not go out 
again so far alone.” 

4 * 4 * 

CHAPTER XV. 

A HORSEBACK RIDE. 

Next morning, at breakfast, the Earl turned to 
Kathryn, who, at his right, sat chatting with Flora, 
and said: 

“My cousin, would you like a canter over the hills 
this fine morning?” 

“Oh, my Lord,” she cried, with glowing cheeks and 
tremulous voice, “if mother only would permit me.” 

“Will you be ready, then, an hour after break- 
fast? I will secure her permission.” 

“I believe, my Lord, that you exert a charm in- 
fluence over my mother; somehow she always yields 
to your wishes,” she said, with a bow of acquiescence 


j84 'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

and a bewitching smile, as their eyes met. He bowed 
and smilingly said: 

“Lady Hawren and I are good friends/’ But now 
Kathryn’s heart stood still, and a chill passed over her 
frame, as she thought of all her grandfather had 
said to her. 

At the end of the hour the Earl stood in the front 
entrance, wearing a handsome riding cloak over a 
lace-trimmed jerkin, with a buff girdle, which held a 
small sword, worn more for ornament than for use. 
Soon he heard the heels of her boots, as she came 
tripping down the broad stairway in a dark habit, and 
wearing a new hat, heavily trimmed with black 
plumes, which, drooping over each side, curved under 
the brim and fell around her face, the beauty of her 
peach-pink complexion being enhanced by the con- 
trast. He approached the foot of the staircase and, 
with a courtly bow, extended his hands to assist her 
down the steps, intently regarding her face, she was 
so lovely. 

Thinking he regarded her new hat, she asked: 

“Do you like my hat, my Lord?” 

“It reminds me of the Att Crown of Osiris,” he 
observed. 

“Osiris? Was he not one of the gods, my Lord?” 

“An Egyptian deity, my Lady,” he said. 

“I do not know that his crown was admirable, so 
still do not know whether you admire my new hat,” 
she said, her face growing roseate under his pro- 
longed look of admiration. 

“Indeed I do. It is beautiful! How lovingly do 
the plumes seem to cluster about your face.” 

“My Lord, I do not believe that plumes can cluster 
'lovingly/ do you?” 

“At least, my dear cousin, they may appear to do 
so, will you not admit?” 

“Possibly, my Lord.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


185 

He led her down the hall, and as they went he ex- 
amined her wrist, which had been so cruelly bruised 
in her fall, and asked, solicitously: 

“Is it sufficiently well, do you think? Shall you 
be able to guide your palfrey?” 

“Oh, indeed it is, my Lord. Besides, it is my whip 
hand ; I hold the reins in my left always.” 

“Ah, that is true,” he said, as Kibbie led up to the 
long stone steps a snow-white palfrey, the saddle deco- 
rated with an embroidered sumpter cloth reaching the 
ground. Andy stood by, holding his Lordship’s char- 
ger, a fiery black. Lord Clifton placed her in the 
saddle; then mounting his steed, they set off on a 
lovely three-mile ride to the village. On account of 
being disabled in her arm, she had not ridden with 
him before. How she enjoyed this ride ! How miser- 
able she felt at times, yet again how her heart bounded 
with happiness as they dashed along, and he so gal- 
lantly praised her horsemanship. She sat her horse 
well, and he admired her greatly. 

They dashed on through the bracing air to the 
village, then turned their course, and back again 
toward home. When almost home, they started on a 
little run down the long lane to the park gate. And, 
as they were passing a clump of copse-wood just 
inside the wall, there was a report from a gun; a 
ball whizzed past, just missing the Earl’s shoulder. 
He reined up his horse and, to Kathryn’s great dis- 
tress and anxiety, dashed back to the thicket to dis- 
cover, if possible, who had been so careless as to fire 
toward them. But, the great stone wall intervening, 
he could see no one. 

Hastening back to Kathryn, he found her greatly 
excited. 

“Dear cousin, perhaps I should not have left you — 
pardon me — but I was anxious to discover who had 
so thoughtlessly fired his piece toward us. Could I 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


1 86 

have found him, I should have reprimanded him 
roundly, whoever it was ; I fear you have been much 
frightened,” he said, for he observed her face was 
blanched with terror. 

“Oh, my Lord! He Someone has attempted 

your life. I felt sure you would be slain while there 
) looking for him. Oh !” 

“Do not you feel distressed, my cousin; ’twas per- 
haps some of our men hunting birds, who accidentally 
fired toward us — someone bird-hunting among the 
trees,” he said, reassuringly. 

But Kathryn did not believe so. She felt it was 
someone seeking his life, and was in a perfect tremor. 

Now, inside the park gate, as they rode slowly 
along, Kathryn said: 

“My Lord, someone has attempted your life,” her 
voice trembling. 

“Think you so, my cousin? I trust you will not 
believe it. Do not allow such a thought to disturb 
you.” 

“My Lord, if you believed it, and had found the 
man who fired the shot at you, would you have shot 
him ?” 

“Shoot him? Oh, no, my Lady. Was it that that 
frightened you so? No, no! Bloodshed is so abhor- 
rent to me that I would, I think, under no considera- 
tion, take the life of a human being. It is not in my 
nature to wish to kill. And scarcely to save my own 
life would I take the life of one of God’s creatures. 
I am no coward, I think, yet have an abhorrence to 
the shedding of blood.” 

Closely she scanned his clear, open countenance, 
and could discern nothing there but purity and love. 
She then asked: 

“My Lord, suppose you saw one attempt to injure 
me, or take my life; would not you shoot him?” 

“Cousin, I am an exceptionally fine marksman, and 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


187 


would, no doubt, shoot a man who would offer you 
injury; but would not take his life. I would try to 
disable him, but could not kill, unless I were com- 
pelled to do so. If I could not save your very precious 
life otherwise, I might shoot to kill.” And he beamed 
into her eyes a look of deepest love. 

There was an irresistible charm in his face and man- 
ner, Kathryn thought, and a perfect heaven in his eyes. 
Her face was now beautifully suffused with a roseate 
hue, and as he assisted her to alight, he asked: 

“Have you enjoyed your ride, my Lady?” 

“Oh, so much, my Lord ! I thank you for giving me 
so great a pleasure. This is the first ride I have had 
since the — that eventful day ” 

“Of our first meeting? I should like to take you 
out on to-morrow — and every day, but must leave,” 
he sighed. 

“Oh, my Lord ; are you going away ?” 

“Lady Kathryn, I assure you nothing would please 
me more than to remain here, but my affairs call me 
back to Weirwolf. When I was called hither, on 
hearing of my dear grandfather’s death, my affairs 
were left unsettled, and the last time I was there 
I hastened back in order to attend Mr. Crowning- 
shield’s wedding, which I would not have missed for 
any consideration.” 

At the foot of the stairway they paused. He felt 
he could not leave her yet ; then he said : “Allow me,” 
and, taking her hand, led her up the broad stairway 
and on, to the door of her room, where they again 
paused. He still held her hand, and said : 

“I expect to return one week before Hallowe’en 
and remain for some time after. May we not have 
some pleasant rides during that time?” 

“Oh, yes, sir; and I assure you I shall look for- 
ward to the time with pleasurable anticipation.” 

“Will you promise me that you will not go out 


1 88 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


alone, or attended only by Kibbie, any distance? It 
is not safe, I think.” 

She looked up into his love-lit eyes, and said: 

‘‘I do promise, my Lord/’ 

“Thank you, cousin,” he said ; then released her 
hand, after giving it a gentle pressure, and went 
to his own apartments, to dress for luncheon. 

Entering her room, Kathryn found no one in at- 
tendance. She passed on to her bedroom, and there 
she sank upon her bed, all in a heap, in habit and hat. 
Then she moaned piteously : 

“Oh, it must not be ! I am so wicked ! Why do I 
yield to my feelings ? I must not love him ! Oh, I 
have been so happy, and now am so miserable. He 
loves me — I know he loves me, though he has never 
said it ! Oh, the agony — when I know I must not love 
him. I must not!” 

She rose and walked the floor, and with upturned 
face and clasped hands repeated the following lines 
of an ancient Greek epigram from the Anthology : 

“’Tis love that murmurs in my breast. 

And makes me shed the secret tear; 

Nor day nor night my soul hath rest, 

For night and day his voice I hear. 

A wound within my heart I find, 

And, oh! ’tis plain where love hath been; 

For still he leaves a wound behind, 

Such as within my heart is seen. 

Oh! bird of love, with song so dear, 

Make not my soul the nest of pain; 

But let the wing which brought thee here 
In pity waft thee hence again!” 

For awhile she stood motionless, with flaming 
cheeks, coral lips and sparkling eyes. Then, turning, 
with nervous hand she struck her call-bell three times 
rapidly, then began to lay off her things. 

Marie soon made her appearance. 

“Marie, is it not near time for luncheon?” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 189 

‘‘Ess, Miladi.” 

“Lay out something for me to put on, while I 
bathe my face, Marie.” 

She bathed her face in sweet marjoram water, then 
asked : 

“Marie, is not my face very much flushed?” 

“Oh, ess, Miladi ; eet ees vair mudge flushed. 
What vould Miladi lige ?” 

“Get me something of soft light color, Marie.” 

“Zee lilac silk, Miladi?” asked Marie, searching 
among the lovely costumes in the wardrobe. 

“Oh, yes, yes ; anything, dear. I am so nervous — 
only do hurry. Get my hair arranged — let it hang 
in curls, Marie, and just tie it back with a ribbon.” 

When she was ready to go down she threw her 
arms around Marie, who was a very sweet girl, say- 
ing : 

“Marie, go down with me to the door; then you 
can run back and put away the things.” 

“Ess, Miladi.” Kathryn was nervous. She feared 
the Earl would meet her at the foot of the stairs and 
lead her in, and she had resolved to repell him and 
possess herself with more reserve. But he was not 
there. All the rest of the family had gathered in the 
drawing-room, and were awaiting his presence. Louis 
rose as Kathryn entered, and offered her a seat, and 
sat down beside her. Complimenting her on her rosy 
complexion, he said : 

“My Lady, should you take many more such rides 
as the one you had to-day, we’d have no further need 
for the services of Doctor Godkins on your account.” 

Meanwhile the Earl had hastened to his apart- 
ments, his heart swelling with righteous pride and 
happiness. In his pleasant parlor he found Ambrose 
packing away some clothing. 

“Ambrose, are you getting all ready for our de- 
parture ?” 


190 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Aye, my Lord, hevrything will be ready, Hi prom- 
ise you, sir.” 

“Where is Jean?” 

“Your Lordship will find ’im in your dressing- 
room, hawaiting your Lordship’s pleasure.” 

“Very well, Ambrose. We will not be absent long 
this time, but try and be ready for an early start.” 

Entering his dressing-room, the Earl threw off his 
light riding cloak, saying: 

“Come, Jean ; assist me to get ready for luncheon.” 

“What habiliments will Milord wear to-day?” asked 
the French valet. 

“Gray, Jean — gray doublet, black hose and low 
shoes,” he responded, absently, thinking only of 
Kathryn — the delightful ride they had enjoyed, and 
the confiding look in her soft brown eyes as she had 
raised them to his, saying: “I do promise.” As Jean 
approached with a suit of gray, he heard the Earl 
speak distinctly, as he sat gazing into space, and say: 
“Oh, the sweet, soft brown ” 

“Eh, bien!” exclaimed Jean; and, turning around 
he replaced the gray suit and, selecting one of soft 
brown wool, returned. 

The Earl, still in a brown study, thinking of her 
loveliness and his love for her, cried out, “Unspeak- 
able!” Then, in the same breath, remembering Gas- 
ton’s misconduct, continued : “The unconscionable 
villain !” 

Poor, Jean, thinking he had offended his master, 
cried : 

Mille pardons, Milord ! Did you not say the brown 
one?” 

“Oh, Jean, boy, what are you about?” said the Earl, 
starting up. 

“I will wear my black French velvet — yes, the 
black, with white laces — did I not say the black? I 
will be in company with the ladies for the remainder 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD igr 

of the day,” said his Lordship, again lapsing into his 
brown study. 

del! Pardon, Milord!” Jean returned to the 
wardrobe and, with his head all smothered among the 
clothing, gave vent to his feelings: “Zounds, done; 
but Milord, he is variable to-day ! How shall I please 
him then? del! II agit en furieux!” Taking up 
a suit of finest French velvet, with deep white laces, 
he brought them forth and, in self-defence, said: 

“Milord, you at first said you would have the gray,” 
but the Earl sat as one in a dream. He had now de- 
cided that Kathryn loved him. Beyond a doubt, she 
returned his love, and said: “It is true! It is true!” 

“Then, my Lord, it is the gray you wish?” 

“There can be no doubt about it,” he cried ab- 
sently, as he rose and threw off his doublet. Rous- 
ing himself, he called : 

“Jean! Jean! Here, draw off my riding boots.” 

Jean had started to fetch the gray. 

“Where go you now with my clothes, boy? What 
now, Jean?” 

“For the gray, Milord.” 

“Gray? No, Jean. Here, the black velvet — that 
will do.” 

As Jean drew off his master’s riding boots he said : 

“Ciel, my master, but you will look grand in this 
black velvet and lace!” 

“How is it, now, Jean?” he asked, as his toilet was 
about completed. 

“Bien! Your Lordship vill be un homme gallant! 
Permittez, Milord!” he then said, approaching with a 
belt and beautiful sword. 

“Ess, ess, Milord. Merci, but you vill luke extraor- 
dinaire this evening,” said Jean, admiringly, standing 
aside and surveying his Lordship with approval. 

“Very well, then, Jean; I wish to feel that I am 
properly dressed,” said the Earl, as he left the room. 


192 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Jean watched his master as he turned down the long 
corridor with a sprightly, joyous step, and murmured: 

“Vraiment, Milord, il est charmcmt !” 

On his way to the drawing-room, the Earl thought : 

"I must speak to Lady Hawren, and obtain her per- 
mission to declare my love now. My ardent spirit will 
not brook delay — is impatient of all restraint.” 

Entering the drawing-room, he bowed to the ladies. 
By this time Kathryn’s face had assumed a delicate 
peach-pink, aided by the glow from the shade of her 
lilac gown. Louis rose to give place to him, but His 
Lordship motioned him back, and approaching Lady 
Hawren, who stood near the center of the room, he 
said: 

“Dear Lady Hawren, have I kept you waiting? I 
ask your pardon.” 

“No, my Lord, only for a moment,” she returned, 
gently placing her hand upon his arm. He led her to 
the cozy little parlor, where luncheon was served. 

But early next morning he started for Weirwolf, 
mounted on horseback, with about twenty followers, 
to be gone something like two weeks. 

The third day after his departure, being Sunday, 
the ladies, with Guy, attended the kirk in the village. 
On their return, they were greatly surprised to find 
that Lord Graeme had arrived during their absence, 
with a numerous following. 

He was affable and gracious toward all, and re- 
gretted much that business engagements had kept him 
so long away from their pleasant society. Kathryn 
gave him no recognition, and, with much dignity, 
avoided him, scarcely leaving her room during his 
stay, which he appeared not to observe, but attempted 
to render himself most agreeable to all the others, 
and remained until about time for the Earl’s return. 

After vainly seeking an opportunity for a conversa- 
tion with Kathryn, who never met him save at table 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


193 


at meal time ; who met his every offer of friendship 
with the greatest disdain and hauteur , having daily 
sent her a billet-doux, praying her forgiveness, and 
asking for a tete-a-tete, which she returned to him 
untouched, he left, disconsolate and dejected, know- 
ing that he dare not meet the Earl. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Hallowe’en. 

“Then came the autumn, all in yellow clad. 

As tho he joyed in his plenteous store, 

Laden with fruits that made him laugh, full glad 
That he had banisht hunger, which to-fore 
Had by the belly oft him pinched sore; 

Upon his head a wreath that was enrolde 
With ears of corne of every sorte, he bore; 

And in his hands a sickle he did holde, 

To reap the ripened fruits the which the earth had yold.” 
******* 

“Yet since thou wilt an idle tale of mine 
Take one which scarcely is of worth enough 
To give or to withhold.” 

Mr. and Mrs. Crowningshield were very much 
missed from the happy circle at Fleetwood. Noth- 
ing more was seen or heard of Gaston, and all felt 
relieved by his absence, while many happy hours were 
spent around the hearth in social pleasures. 

Hallowe’en drew on, when young and old engaged 
in much sport, with many amusing frolics. 

The Earl, Guy, Louis, Rorey and Julien, with 
Kathryn, Annie, Flora and Edith Langhorn, the stew- 
ard’s pretty daughter, and Marie, stood aside watch- 
ing the sport as the rustic youths and maidens per- 
formed the witches’ dance and made the grand right- 
and-left around the bonfire, which is performed thus; 


194 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


An equal number of lads and lassies march to mu- 
sic around the fire, the lassies all veiled in sheets. 
At a signal they begin the grand right-and-left. Sud- 
denly all stop, facing their partners. Whoever they 
happen to hold by the hand, the young man makes 
a guess as to who she is. If his guess is correct, he 
has found a partner for life. 

Now, after the rustic youths and maidens had en- 
joyed this sport for a time, Rorey and Julien sug- 
gested that they should all join in and promenade 
around the fire, make the grand right-and-left, and 
thus have their own fates decided* in the midst of the 
merry scene. 

The others consented. The Earl marched with 
Kathryn, followed by Guy and Annie, Louis and 
Flora, Rorey and Edith, Julien and Marie. 

With much care Lady Hawren, Madame and Mrs. 
Macleod had veiled the girls so that they might not 
be identified. 

They marched around the bright fire, chatting pleas- 
antly and keeping time to the soft music. Presently 
the signal was given for the grand right-and-left, with 
quick music. Then, at a signal, each young man 
stopped with the partner he then held by the hand. 

Now, the Earl, hoping he held Kathryn by the 
hand, guessed her name, but when she revealed her- 
self, behold ! it was Miss Hamilton. And so with the 
others, Guy finding he held Flora’s hand instead of 
that of Miss Hamilton ; Louis, instead of Flora, whom 
he had guessed, finds he has Kathryn ; and Julien, 
feeling sure of having Marie, his own little country- 
woman, finds he has Edith, while Rorey finds his part- 
ner to be Marie. All of which misguessing afforded 
much merriment. Hortense, Hilda ana Laura, dressed 
as witches, were among those in and out among the 
shadows making tea. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


195 


Returning to the great hall, pumpkin pie and coffee, 
grapes, apples, nuts and other delicacies, especially 
the large nut cake, with many candles around it, and 
the finest cider, were served by little witches in black 
and little ghosts in white. Then they had the un- 
winding of the witches’ ball, which created much fun. 

Afterward bowls of water, coffee and tea were 
placed upon the table, in order to show the maids 
whether they were to be wives, by being blindfolded 
and dipping a finger in one of the bowls. She who 
dips in water will be a wife ; she who touches coffee 
will be a widow ; but she who dips into the tea will 
be a solitary old maid. 

Annie, on b^'ng led up, after a little hesitation, and 
feeling about, dipped into the bowl of tea, and was 
greeted with shouts of laughter and the clapping of 
hands. And Kathryn said: 

“There, Annie, you are to live alone and drink tea 
for the remainder of your life.” At one side Rorey 
and Julien were having grand sport watching a num- 
ber of children ducking for apples afloat in a tub of 
water. 

After these sports were ended the Earl and the 
ladies entered the spacious sitting-room, where was a 
cheerful fire blazing on the hearth. They were soon 
joined by Guy and Louis and the two pages. After 
the circle was complete, Lady Hawren said : 

“How we do miss Mr. Crowningshield and dear 
Mrs. Edmonds!” 

“Mother, you must say Mrs. Crowningshield,” cor- 
rected Kathryn lightly. 

“Yes, dear, I know ; but she left so soon after her 
marriage that we had not used ourselves to the 
change.” 

'“Fortunate man, was Mr. Crowningshield;” ob- 
served Guy. 

“She is indeed a charming lady, and we do greatly 


196 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


miss them both,” returned the Earl. “By the way, 
Lady Hawren, I have not told you I met in Carlisle 
to-day an old friend of the Arranton family — he prom- 
ised to come and visit you some time.” 

“He knows the Arrantons ? I shall be glad to meet 
him,” she returned. 

“He is from Ayr, and said his father and General 
Arranton had fought side by side in a number of bat- 
tles.” 

“His name, my Lord?” asked Lady Hawren. 

“Major Huntly — his father was General Huntly.” 

“Oh, I have heard General Arranton speak of Gen- 
eral Huntly, who was one of his warmest friends.” 

“I believe he said, too, they were related by affin- 
ity.” 

“Yes, my Lord; General Arranton’s wife was a 
Huntly — descended from the Earl of Huntly, who was 
once regent of Scotland.” 

“Oh, mother! Will you not tell us the story of our 
ancestors — away back in the days of Mary, Queen of 
Scotland? This is Hallowe’en, and we must have a 
story,” said Kathryn. 

“Yes, dear aunt,” seconded the Earl ; “methinks this 
a most favorable time for a story, or story-telling.” 

“A story! A story!” echoed Guy. 

“Do, Lady Hawren,” insisted Annie. “Let us chase 
away the hours till midnight with tales of other days.” 

“A story ! A story !” shouted the boys. 

“I must acknowledge I am not gifted as a story- 
teller,” returned Lady Hawren, “but am willing to 
do my best.” 

“Yes, Lady Hawren, I beg of you ; I am sure you 
will succeed admirably,” cried the Earl, earnestly. 

Lady Hawren sat in an easy-chair on one side of 
the fire. At her right was a sofa, which had been 
wheeled around, on which sat Kathryn and Flora, 
who were fast friends. In front of the fire the Earl 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


197 


sat, in a high-backed leather-lined chair. The others 
ranged on the other side. And thus around the cheery 
fireside, shut in from the world, Lady Hawren tells the 
tale of the Arrantons : 

‘T will not go back over two hundred years with 
my story, but begin with the Earl of Arran, who was 
a Hamilton, and was a high tempered, fiery old man, 
and was related by affinity to the Earl of Bute — a 
Stuart. A deadly feud had long existed between these 
two noblemen, and so inveterate was this feud that 
they indulged in almost perpetual warfare. 

“The Earl of Bute had one only child — the fair 
Lady Elva, who was to become his heiress, inheriting 
his vast wealth. 

“Ronald, second son of the Earl of Arran, loved 
the Lady Elva, heiress of Bute, and was beloved by 
her. On one occasion, in the din of battle, amid fire 
and smoke, while all was in an uproar, by the aid of 
a faithful old servant, Fingal Ronald succeeded in 
stealing her away, and they were secretly married by 
Anselm, her Father Confessor, priest of Rothsay. She 
had no attendant save her old nurse, Alsey. Eluding 
the vigilance of the indignant Earls, they escaped from 
the island at midnight in a boat. Sailing along under 
the projecting brow of the Dunoon, they thought soon 
to cross the kyles of Bute and reach Gourock, where 
they had friends who would protect them from the 
infuriated Earls, their fathers. But a high wind com- 
ing upon them, they were, in spite of their efforts to the 
contrary, carried rapidly down the Firth of Clyde. 
They had observed from the start that “Aunt” Alsey 
clung with tenacity to a burden of great bulk, and 
apparent heavy weight, which she carried tied in a 
plaid and swung across her broad shoulders, refusing 
to relinquish it at any time, using it for a seat when 
she sat down. When morning dawned, they found 
themselves in the mouth of a beautiful river, which 


198 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

proved to be the Doon, on the coast of Ayrshire. They 
gladly pulled up stream, and now, feeling secure from 
the irate Earls, greatly enjoyed the picturesque scene 
along the banks O’Doon. Far up this river, near 
the foot of the mountains, they came to a placid lake. 
Here, the lowlands and highlands uniting, formed a 
romantic and delightful scene. And in this lovely 
place, amid the charming surroundings, in a wild and 
secluded region, Ronald Arranton, as he now called 
himself, in order to avoid detection, selected a spot 
for his home. And now it was that Alsey brought 
forth her heavy burden, and laid it at the feet of her 
young mistress and the young lord, saying : ‘My dear 
children, this have I saved for you from pillage and 
fire; it is yours. You will need it in this strange 
land/ It proved to be a well-bound box containing a 
great, and most valuable, part of the treasure of the 
Earl of Bute, which the old woman, finding an oppor- 
tunity amid the smoke and din of battle, had brought 
away with her for the use of her young mistress, say- 
ing she had followed some pillagers into the vault 
and had succeeded in securing this chest before they 
reached it. But Ronald and Elva refused to make use 
of it, thinking that it did not rightly belong to them. 
Ronald, with the aid of good Father Anselm, who 
had accompanied them, and Fingal, built him a struc- 
ture of ample size, of such material as abounded im- 
mediately around ; not disdaining to labor with his own 
hands, he soon had formed them a sylvan home, where 
they lived in peace and great happiness for many 
months, when they heard that the Earl of Arran had 
received wounds in the battle, on the night of their 
departure, from which he had since died; that the 
Earl of Bute had been executed for causing an up- 
rising against the government, and his estates had 
been confiscated. Then they felt no compunction of 
conscience in using the treasures saved to them by the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


199 


faithful Alsey. Then Ronald secured to himself much 
fine lands lying south of Doon, and built a strong cas- 
tle, for now there began to be civil wars and upris- 
ings, and this place, in time, became a great strong- 
hold of much consequence during stormy periods — a 
safe retreat in dangerous times. After a time Ronald 
was found to merit the honor of chivalry, and the 
dignity of knighthood was bestowed upon him. After 
Sir Ronald’s death, the rank of Baron was conferred, 
by patent, on his eldest son Donald, with much fine 
land, under the name of Montstuart and Strathdoon. 
This, in connection with his own possession of Arran- 
ton, gave him control of all the fine lands lying in the 
southern portion of Ayrshire. After five generations 
had passed away, Sir Robert Arranton, Baron of 
Montstuart and Strathdoon, having acquired much 
wealth, yielded a great influence in the country, exer- 
cising great authority, and became one of the most ac- 
complished political leaders of the period. Many 
times, with his army of tumultuous followers, he exer- 
cised hostility against the crown. Then, on a time, 
the Catholic nobles entered into a conspiracy against 
the king, which was discovered. The most prominent 
leaders, among whom was Sir Robert Arranton, Baron 
of Montstuart and Strathdoon, were arrested and exe- 
cuted on charge of hostility against His Majesty. The 
title and estates bestowed on him by the king have 
been held in abeyance ever since, now near eighty 
years. Donald Arranton, my late husband’s uncle, 
still lives in the grand old castle at Arranton, where 
we once enjoyed a most pleasant visit, with General 
and Mrs. Arranton. The charming mountain scenery 
forms a lovely background, while in front lies the 
placid Loch Doon, spreading like a mirror, finely 
fringed around with copse-wood, with here and there 
large trees, gracefully mirrored in its silvery depths. 
Donald, who was married during our visit to a daugh- 


200 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


1 


ter of the Earl of Athole, was still hoping that the 
title and estates would be restored, for his ancestors, 
during the last four generations, have lived much in 
peace, and with generous zeal have devoted themselves 
to the government; and, indeed, the Duke of Hamil- 
ton once set about having it accomplished ; but at that 
time there was much opposition in Parliament, and the 
matter was dropped." 

As Lady Hawren’s story closed, the Earl drew forth 
a small tablet and pencil, requesting her to give him 
all the names of the Arrantons, from General Arran- 
ton to Sir Robert, which she did, he taking them down 
carefully. Lady Hawren’s story was much enjoyed 
by all. 

Then Miss Hamilton called on the Earl for his 
quota of the evening’s entertainment. 

“Oh, you will, my Lord! I am so fond of legends 
and traditions. You will tell us something .on that 
line?" asked Annie. 

“My Lord, a story! A story!" the boys cried. 

“That will be something new for me, I assure you. 
Story-telling is no more in my line than singing, in 
which lovely art I could never excel." 

“My Lord," said Kathryn, “will you not give us 
the story of Weirwolf? I am sure there must be a 
story back of that name. How did your ancestors 
merit the name of Weirwolf? And what significa- 
tion is attached to it? My Lord, you will find that I 
am good at asking questions, if I cannot tell a story." 

“There is, Lady Kathryn, a kind of wavering tradi- 
tion of the founding and naming of Weirwolf, and 
apropos a story of All Hallow’s Eve, which I shall take 
pleasure in relating if your Ladyship and the company 
be pleased to listen." 

It was signified by all that the story would be most 
welcome. 

Hew grand and handsome he was as he sat erect 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


201 


in his chair, facing the glowing fire, the flickering rays 
of light throwing a ruddy glow over his fine features. 
Throughout the whole story Kathryn sat with her 
eyes fastened on his face, as though fascinated, only 
at times, when he seemed to be addressing his story 
to her especially, he turned his beaming eyes upon her ; 
then how beautifully her face would flush and her tell- 
tale eyes were shielded beneath their drooping lids. 

“Our genealogical tree takes us back far into the 
dark ages, to the Roman invasion and Galwegian Inde- 
pendence. For centuries our ancestors were noted in 
war — rebellions, conquests, conspiracies and downfalls. 
Some fell in honorable warfare ; others were executed 
• — beheaded or hanged — for in many instances they ad- 
hered with tenacity to the weaker side, thus losing 
their extensive domains. My grandfather succeeded 
his father, Ethelwyn, 'noble joy/ and he his father, 
Bertwolf, 'illustrious wolf — they held tenaciously to 
the old Saxon names, even down to my grandfather, 
who was Deorwyn, 'dear one/ Bertwolf was a brave 
and powerful baron, whose influence extended from 
the English border very far up into Scotland. The 
family residence is beautifully situated on the Esk, 
built up in days long past. The family \tfas founded 
by St. Coelwulf, king of Northumberland, said to have 
been a man of some learning, who abdicated his throne 
in 738, retiring to the Holy Island to do penance for 
his sins. There he founded a monastery, and died as 
a saint. Although Coelwulf died as a saint, it is said 
that after he retired to Holy Island he indulged the 
Monks, whose rule hitherto had confined them to milk 
and water, with the comforts of wine and ale. It is 
thought by some that the penance vaults, founded by 
Coelwulf, were intended for a more genial purpose — 
that of a wine cellar. Away back in those days there 
was one, Siegfred, whose name signifies 'peace of vic- 
tory/ a noble, manly fellow”— Kathryn’s eyes glowed 


202 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


with a lovely light as she looked upon him and thought, 
“just like my Lord Clifton!” — “Who loved and was 
beloved by one, Elfrida, or Elfie, as she was called, 
'the little elf/ A castle he had built of round stones, 
and though ’twas not a great castle like this, it was 
very substantial. He held all the lands for many, 
many miles around the place where the old Weirwolf 
Hunting Tower now stands, in the southern part of 
the Caledonian Forest; he also had built the old 
church, the ruins of which may be seen nearby. The 
Tower was built of gray stone, but how it was ever 
constructed with so much durability as to remain 
standing to this day, is beyond the ken of man. It 
is built perfectly round, a winding stair of stone 
steps built in the wall running round and round the 
entire way to the lofty platform, whence may be had 
a view of the charming scenery abounding along the 
lovely river winding through the valleys below. Elfie 
was beloved by another, her cousin Ethelwolf, who 
was of an evil nature. Elfie knew that she loved 
Siegfred, though she smiled on Ethelwolf occasion- 
ally. It may be that she was, as most young ladies 
are said to be, just a little coquettish. Ethelwolf, 
whenever she deigned to smile on him, was nearly 
wild with delight, so great was his love for her. But 
when she turned coldly from him, as she often did, 
he was mad with jealous rage. It was whispered 
around that Ethelwolf was gifted with occult powers, 
whereby he might change himself into the form of a 
fierce, wild, or weird shaggy wolf, called the weir- 
wolf, and would often, when angry, avail himself of 
this magical power, lying around under the copse, or 
in furz and high grass on the heather, seeking to 
pounce upon and destroy whoever had the temerity 
to ofTend him. Thus would he whenever Elfie turned 
from him to smile on Siegfred endeavor to slay him. 
iSiegfred, somehow, always escaped the Weirwolf, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


203 


though he could not, with all his endeavors, dispatch 
him, for as often as he struck at the weirwolf his 
spear would miss the mark. And, besides, it was whis- 
pered that the seeress of the community had said that 
no hand save that of a woman, and that after the hour 
of midnight, might slay the weirwolf. There came 
a time — Hallowe’en — when there was to be a celebra- 
tion on the heath, which was to last till the ‘wee sma’ 
hours/ The moon being at her full, it was a glorious 
night. Ethelwolf wished to accompany his cousin 
Elfie, and asked her permission beforehand; but she 
refused him, saying she would go with Siegfred. All 
day he sulked at home, lying on his bed — he lived with 
Elfie’s parents — but at nightfall he departed, no one 
knew whither. The young people out on the green- 
sward frolicked in the moonlight, and, having built 
a bonfire, they roasted chestnuts and played many 
merry games. Presently there was a scattering of 
the crowd, with much screaming, for they had seen 
the dim form of the weirwolf lurking amid the heather 
under the edge of the copse-wood, lashing his tail 
and displaying his fierce and hideous teeth, his fiery 
eyes flashing in the light of the blazing fire. The 
young men rallying, several spears were hurled at 
the weirwolf, to no effect. Siegfred stood ready to 
make his effort, when the seeress approached from the 
background, crying out, in a prophetic voice: ‘The 
weirwolf will never be slain by the hand of man; 
but place thy spear in the hand of the Elf-child who 
stands by thy side, then behold what comes of it.' 
All stood gazing, in great excitement, while Siegfred 
placed his great spear in the trembling hands of the 
fearful Elfie. She drew back the long shaft — almost 
as much as she could lift — and sent it into the copse- 
wood, where there was only a faint glimpse of a 
dark object, lashing the heather. All stood expectant, 
awaiting to behold what execution had been accom-^ 


204 ’ 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


plished; then some of the bolder spirits ventured to 
draw near the spot. There was nothing to be seen, 
save the shaft of the broken spear, the head having 
been broken off and was nowhere to be seen, and much 
blood on the soft heather. In vain they searched 
amid the heathery copse — the weirwolf was not found. 
Returning home, they retired to rest. Next morning 
Ethelwolf was found dead upon his bed, all covered 
with blood, a spear-head in his side.” 

“Oh, my Lord,” cried Lady Hawren, when the 
Earl had finished; “you must not say again that you 
are no story-teller ! Your tale has been told with the 
art of a gifted raconteur.” 

The Earl smiled his thanks. 

“My Lord,” said Kathryn, with flaming cheeks, 
“how fearful it was for the pretty little Elfie to slay 
the beast with her own little hands, then to find the 
bad cousin dead ; but did they — did she marry the one 
she loved?” 

“Yes, my Lady; and they were the founders of the 
family, and built a new castle further up the glen, 
and called it Weirwolf, much of which substantial 
structure is still standing, and every one who suc- 
ceeds to the estate must assume the arms and name of 
Weirwolf.” 

“And the arms, my Lord?” 

“Have a representation of a shaggy, snarling wolf, 
lurking, half hidden, in the heather ; a broken spear 
in his side. The crest is an arm holding a broken 
spear shaft.” 

“Oh, I should like to visit Weirwolf, and see the 
old castle and environments,” sighed Lady Kathryn. 

“I promise your Ladyship shall see it next Septem- 
ber. If nothing intervenes, we will take up our abode 
for a month, at least, at the old Tower, for the grouse 
season. It has long been our custom to spend a 
month or more each year, hunting thereabout. I am 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


205 

sure you will be pleased with the place. It is situated 
in the remains of the old Caledonian Forest, where 
the character of the scenery is uncommonly beautiful. 
The ancient Tower stands on the River Esk, rearing 
its dusky crest amid the clouds, and seen from a 
distance appears to be rising from the winding river. 
Far to the north from that place, this lovely river 
rises in the mountains, flowing, with many a grace- 
ful turn, through the peaceful woodlands. Nearby is 
a small lake, called the Lake of Pearl, on account of 
its placid waters, surrounded by creeping vines and 
shrubs, and abounding in fishes, where you ladies may 
indulge to your hearts’ content in capturing the shin- 
ing perch.” 

“Oh, how delightful!” cried Annie. “My Lord, 
how can we ever thank you sufficiently?” 

“Yes, for giving us such glorious anticipations, my 
Lord — to say nothing of the realizations of such de- 
lightful sport,” exclaimed Kathryn, with enthusiasm. 
And meeting from the Earl a glance of fond ad- 
miration, her dark eyes drooped beneath their fringed 
canopy. 

“I can assure you fine sport, ladies, for Weirwolf 
chase abounds in game of all sorts — black deer, hart 
and hind; pheasants, partridges, grouse and other 
small game. But a little distance from the Tower is 
a placid lake called Loch Earn, from which a small 
streamlet, hastening on, empties itself into the Esk. 
In the center of this lake is an islet, where the Earn, 
or Scottish eagle, annually builds its nest. A short 
distance from this lake a cascade, from a great height, 
falls in gloomy grandeur. The soothing roar from 
this waterfall is heard from the ladies’ pavilion, pro- 
ducing a soothing and soporific lullaby.” 

“Oh, how delightful!” they all cried, with some 
clapping of hands. 

‘Oh, how glorious to be lulled to sleep by the soft 


6 !e: miSrn Fleetwood . 

cadence of the cascade,” cried Kathryn. “Pray, pro- 
ceed, my Lord.” 

“And,” continued the Earl, “near this pavilion are 
bright waters gushing, cool from the fount. Gay, 
sparkling birds are seen to wing the air ; their warb- 
lings at eve from tall treetops are heard far down 
into the deepening twilight ; and when morning’s earli- 
est beams come glimmering through the leafy screen, 
smiling on the dreamy brow of night, throwing a sil- 
ver sheen over the river’s peaceful breast, and rousing 
the drowsy huntsmen from their leafy beds to hasten 
out with hawk and hound ” 

“Oh, my Lord,” cried Annie, who sat on the oppo- 
site side of the fire, on a- sofa beside Guy, who had 
thus, for the first time, ventured to draw so near to 
the lady whom he had for so long a time been wor- 
shipping at a distance, “how we shall long for the time 
to come, for it is near a year off yet.” 

“Oh, Flora, shall we ever live to see that happy 
time and place?” cried Kathryn, turning to Flora, 
who sat beside *her, holding her hand. 

“I have seen the place already, Lady Kathryn, and 
just such happy times.” 

“Dearest, have you seen it, and is it indeed so de- 
lightful?” 

“I can assure you it is lovely, Lady Kathryn — al- 
most beyond description, though my Lord has pretty 
nearly done it justice.” 

“My Lord,” asked Kathryn, “do you love the 
chase?” 

“My Lady, I have, in no ordinary degree, a passion 
for the chase — it is inherent in my nature.” 

“He exhibits remarkable address, too, Lady Kathryn, 
in bringing down the game,” said Louis, “and is 
ready alike with his gun and his couteau de chasse.” 

“Aye !” cried the Earl enthusiastically. 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


207 


“ ‘Aye ! when the huntsmen wind the merry horn, 

And from the covert starts the fearful prey; 

Who, warmed with youth’s blood in his swelling veins, 
Would, like a helpless clod, outstretched lie, 

Shut out from all creation offers.’ ” 




& 


CHAPTER XVII. 


'CHRISTMAS AT FLEETWOOD. 

“Within the hall are song and laughter. 

The cheeks of Christmas grow red and jolly, 

And sprouting is every corbel and rafter 

With the lightsome green of ivy and holly; 
Through the deep gulf of the chimney wide 
Wallows the Yule-log’s roaring tide; 

The broad-flame pennons droop and flap, 

And belly and tug as a flag in the wind : 

Like a locust shrills the imprisoned sap. 

Haunted to death in its galleries blind; 

And swift little troops of silent sparks, 

Now pausing, now scattering away as in fear, 

Go threading the soot-forest’s tangled dark, 

Like herds of startled deer.” 

A short time after Hallowe’en, the Earl had gone 
to Edinburgh, thence back to Weirwolf, where he was 
detained until near Christmas, when he hastened back 
to Fleetwood to enjoy the holiday with his friends, 
where he arrived on Wednesday, five days before 
Christmas, for Christmas came on Tuesday. Lady 
Hawren met him in the great hall with a warm wel- 
come. He threw off his hat and shook back his silken 
curls ; but, not waiting for him to drop his cloak, 
she drew him into the warm sitting-room, saying 
as she did so: 

“Oh, my Lord, you are cold and all sparkling with 
snow ! Do come in immediately to the fire and warm 
yourself, while a fire is being made in your own room.” 


208 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Kathryn rose, her face blanched to marble whiteness. 
She and her mother had been seated here alone, with 
their embroidery. His face glowed with pleasure on 
finding her here, and, advancing, he pressed her hand 
warmly and asked how she had been since he had 
left. 

“And how have you been, my Lord?” asked Lady 
Hawren. “Have you enjoyed the trip?” 

“Thank you, dear aunt; I have enjoyed the finest 
of health, and my visit has been most pleasant.” 

“And Rorey had a pleasant visit with his mother?” 
enquired Lady Hawren. 

“Oh, yes, indeed ! He enjoyed it very much, too ; 
but now he will not see her again for some time. I 
took my aunt to Edinburgh, where she will remain 
for two years, perhaps, in order the better to educate 
the little girl, Nora, her protegee; besides, it was lonely 
for her at Weirwolf since I left with Rorey.” 

“My Lord, I wish she had come to spend Christmas 
with us; I was at least hoping she would do so,” 
said Lady Hawren. 

“I thank your Ladyship most heartily. She no 
doubt would enjoy it very much, but was anxious to 
have Nora in school. She will now spend Christmas 
with some friends and relations. I have made ar- 
rangements for them to reside in Edinburgh for some 
time, where my aunt has many relations and oldtime 
friends, and will, I trust, be much happier. She has 
missed Rorey much since I took him away. They 
had never before been separated. But, my dear Lady 
Hawren and Lady Kathryn, you are to have com- 
pany, if you can pardon me for taking so much liberty. 
I have invited Lord and Lady de Bruce, and Misses 
Bruneaugh, Lady de Bruce’s nieces, to spend Christ- 
mas and remain over Twelfth-night with you. They 
are very old friends of our family. I was, therefore, 
anxious to have you meet them. I assure you, they 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


209 


are most elegant people. I know you will be de- 
lighted with them,” bowing to Lady Kathryn, who 
had scarce spoken. 

“Thank you, my Lord,” she said, somewhat re- 
gaining her composure, her face growing rosy. “I 
am charmed to have them ; how very kind and 
thoughtful of you to ask them.” 

“Assuredly, my Lord. When may we expect them 
to arrive?” asked Lady Hawren. 

“I will send the coach to Carlisle for them to-mor- 
row ; we may look for them about dusk on to-morrow 
eve.” 

“Of what ages are the young ladies?” asked Kath- 
ryn, innocently, manifesting great interest. 

“Maybe that is not a fair question, Kathryn,” ob- 
served Lady Hawren. The Earl smiled as he said: 

“I could not say positively, my Lady, but I believe 
about twenty-eight and seventeen, respectively, Miss 
Bruneaugh being the eldest of the family and Miss 
Rosa the youngest, with four brothers between them, 
who are all married and settled down.” Getting a 
little warm, he threw back his loose riding-cloak, dis- 
closing his superb form in an elegant shooting cos- 
tume. An ivory-mouthed bugle, beautifully carved 
in rich characters, hung by his side. He spoke again, 
his voice soft and richly melodious. 

“Lord and Lady de Bruce have just returned from 
Paris, and are having some alteration and improve- 
ment done on their city residence, and it would be 
more pleasant for them here just now, besides afford- 
ing us the pleasure of their company. They have 
resided in Paris the past year, where Miss Rosa has 
attended the Conservatoire de Paris. Lord de Bruce 
is of Scotch-French blood, and owns immense prop- 
erty in Scotland — is considered one of the most 
wealthy Scotch Lords. He was for a time Colonel of 
a regiment of Irish in western Scotland a number 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


£210 

of years ago, where he married Marjorie Macdonald, 
of pure Scotch blood, and descended from a noble 
family. Misses Bruneaugh are her sister’s children, 
and orphans, whom Lady de Bruce has cared for from 
their infancy.” 

“Oh,” said Lady Hawren, “I know we shall love 
them all!” 

“Aye, indeed, dear aunt ; I do — that is, I already 
love Lord and Lady de Bruce,” he said, rising to re- 
pair to his apartments, “but the young ladies I have 
barely met.” Lady Hawren gave him a sly glance, 
with an arch smile, which was not observed by Kath- 
ryn, as much as to say: 

“My Lord, I believe you claim to have fallen in love 
with one whom you had scarcely met.” He, com- 
prehending, smiled, his face flushing, and a little con- 
fusedly he said: 

“But I must repair to my own room.” And, turn- 
ing to Kathryn, said : 

“Dear cousin, I ask your pardon for sitting in your 
presence in my riding-cloak and boots ; but your 
mother — I cannot resist her Ladyship,” with a bow 
and a smile toward Lady Hawren. 

“But you were cold, my Lord, having had a long 
ride through the drifting snow,” exclaimed Lady Haw- 
ren, from the warmth of her kind heart. 

He bowed low to Kathryn, who, curtsying with 
her sweetest smile, said : 

“No apologies are necessary, my Lord.” 

Reaching the door, he turned and said : 

“Oh, Lady Hawren ; I forgot to mention that Lord 
and Lady de Bruce and the young ladies all know 
your uncle, Count Dubois-Raymond, and his lovely 
family in Paris.” 

“Oh, do they?” exclaimed Lady Hawren. “That 
will be glorious to have mutual friends in Paris ! My 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


2 II 


Lord, I thank you so much for your kind thought- 
fulness in inviting them to visit us.” 

He again bowed, and, with a lingering glance and 
smile toward Kathryn, he left the room. 

Next morning the Earl decided that he himself 
would go to Carlisle and accompany the ladies and 
Lord de Bruce out to the castle. 

In accordance with the plan, he set about urging 
Lady Hawren to accompany him, as there would be 
plenty of room in the coach for the six. He would 
send the road-wagon along for the luggage and the 
attendants. Lady Hawren, thinking how she would 
enjoy a drive in the Royal old coach on this de- 
lightfully cool, crisp December day, and how much 
more friendly and hospitable it would appear for her 
to accompany the Earl to fetch them, consented. On 
the way the Earl had opportunity for much conversa- 
tion with Lady Hawren, and to ask her if now he 
might declare his love to Lady Kathryn and speak 
to her on the subject of marriage. Lady Hawren 
had been observing the trend of matters, and knew 
well that Kathryn loved him with her whole heart, 
but yet she hesitated, and said : 

“Oh, my Lord, she is young — too young, possibly, 
to know her own mind. You can wait yet.” 

“Wait! Dear aunt, I have waited; and have tried 
to restrain my impatience! Oh, surely you will not 
deny me now! I must leave for London next day 
after Christmas — I must tear myself away to attend 
the session of Parliament, after which I go to Paris 
for a time. There is no knowing when I shall return 
to Fleetwood — it may be six months ; possibly I shall 
not return before August. Dear aunt, am I to leave 
without speaking ? Surely you will not forbid a decla- 
ration of my love !” he said, imploringly, as he seized 
jher hand and pressed it to his lips. 


212 ! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“Then, my Lord, wait till the festivities have 
reached their height, or have about closed ” 

“Oh, I beg you to remember that I leave next morn- 
ing after Christmas, early. I appeal to your Lady- 
ship’s kindness of heart ; you will not cause me to 
suffer so long a time!” 

“Then some time before you leave, my Lord, if 
you are to be so long gone.” 

“Thank you ! Oh, thank you, dear aunt !” he cried, 
with a happy countenance ; then continued : 

“Dear aunt, I have repeatedly been requested to pre- 
sent your Ladyship and your daughter at court, but 
have hesitated to do so — to even speak to you on the 
subject, until this moment ” 

“Oh, my Lord, you know that Kathryn is but a 
child yet, and knows not the ways of the world !” 

“My Lady, she is well fitted to grace the court of 
any king; but I have hesitated — I should dislike to 
have her presented among the gay and scandalous 
crowd that throng the court until she is my very own, 
and I have a husband’s right to watch over and protect 
her” ; his face was covered with blushes, as the coach 
drew up at the residence of Lord de Bruce. 

Next morning at daybreak the unusual sound, at 
such an hour, of a bugle-blast from the courtyard 
was heard. The gates were thrown open, and a couple 
dashed forth toward Fleetwood chase — a young girl 
in a habit of Lincoln-green, followed by her old and 
ever-faithful attendant and a pair of fierce hounds. 
The girl was Rosa, Lady de Bruce’s niece, who was 
an Amazon, unfettered by social restraint, and of a 
nature wild and free — a tomboy. But by the time 
breakfast was announced Rosa had returned and was 
ready, with a good appetite, to partake of the morn- 
ing meal, her face all aglow after a five-mile ride in 
the frosty air. 

Being seated at table, the Earl said pleasantly: 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


213 


‘‘Ah, Miss Rosa! Whither so early this morning?” 

“I went out, my Lord, as is my custom, for a five- 
mile ride before breakfast. What a lovely forest you 
have! And I could have brought in a venison and 
a dozen quail had I been sure of meeting your Lord- 
ship’s approbation.” 

“Surely, Miss Rose, all the game you may bring in 
from your morning rides will be no great loss to the 
gamekeeper,” returned the Earl with a benevolent 
smile. 

Two days were spent in pleasant conversation with 
Lord and Lady de Bruce and the young ladies, and 
showing them over the castle, which they found in 
that state of joyous confusion and pleasant anticipa- 
tion as always precedes such great occasions. Next 
day, being the Sabbath, they attended services where 

‘'The snow-white church upon the hill. 

Sits like a throned lady, sending out a gracious look over 
all her domain.” 

Monday the Earl, with Guy and Louis and the two 
pages, Rorey and Julien, took the ladies out to the 
forest to gather mistletoe and evergreens, for next 
day was Christmas. Two couples went horseback, 
the Earl and Kathryn, Louis and Rosa, while the 
others went in the coach. What a delightful ride was 
this, especially to the Earl and Lady Kathryn, for 
now the forest had become “a jewel-laden feminine 
thing” as they dashed along through the sparkling 
frost-leaved aisles. They gathered in the ivy and holly, 
as well as the mistletoe. 


“Under the mistleto, pearly and green, 

Meet the kind lips of the young and the old; 
Under the mistleto, hearts may be seen 
Glowing as tho they had never been cold. 


214 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Yet, why should this holy and festival mirth, 

In the region of old Christmas only be found? 

Hang up love's mistleto over the earth, 

And let us kiss under it all the year round.” 

With the dawn of Christmas morn, announced by 
carols of joy, according to an ancient custom, and the 
ringing of joy-bells, came much happiness to the in- 
mates of Fleetwood Castle ; for here Christmas had 
been, from time immemorial, a season of joy; and this 
season of festivity was to last till twelfth-night. The 
walls were decorated with evergreens ; bunches of 
mistletoe, especially, had been swung here and there, 
in hidden and unsuspected places ; tables were loaded 
with chere exquise ; carols were sung ; and on this 
occasion the Earl and Lady Hawren took care that the 
poor were not forgotten. The servants thronged the 
great hall and corridors, bowing and saluting all with 
good wishes, for at this season the interval between 
master and servants was not so great; and, as usual 
on such occasions, they were given much liberty. And 
they romped with much freedom “under the mistle- 
toe, eating boar’s head, and drinking ale, flavored with 
toasted apples.” 

The dinner hour arrived, which was a few hours 
earlier than usual, on account of a grand banquet to 
follow, which was to be served from nine to twelve 
o’clock. 

The table for dinner had been arranged, old Scottish 
style, extended to a great length, that a number of the 
upper servants and attendants might sit at dinner with 
the gentle folks, who sat above the salt — a salt-cellar 
of silver, handsomely wrought, containing salt, placed 
in the center of the long table — the lower class took 
their places below the salt. 

With exquisite delicacy the Earl placed Lord de 
Bruce in the place of honor, at the upper end of the 
table, with Lady de Bruce and Lady Hawren at his 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


215 

left, modestly seating himself between Kathryn and 
Flora on his right. 

Dinner was served with much ceremony. At the 
proper moment a stately procession entered. First 
came the musicians, who marched to the balcony ap- 
pointed them; then followed the steward and butler 
and a long line of servants bearing various dishes ; the 
pages stood at their places ready to attend the nobles. 
There was the roasted peacock, usual on such occa- 
sions, browned to a turn, and considered as a dish of 
exquisite delicacy ; the smoking-hot goose, with dress- 
ing; the boar’s head, crested with rosemary and bay 
leaves ; fine sirloin, dripping with rich gravy ; cloved 
ham with cider sauce, pigs and small fowls abounded 
in great variety, with plum pudding, Christmas pie, 
and bread of all kinds ; pickles, preserves and fruits. 
The finest wines and best of ale were broached. Din- 
ner passed pleasantly, and with much merriment. 
Stories were told of '‘knighthood’s dauntless deeds and 
beauty’s matchless eye,” in which Lord de Bruce 
proved himself an amusing, impressive and most in- 
teresting story-teller. 

The brief December day passed swiftly by, and its 
gray dawn soon darkened into night. As evening drew 
on, some of the neighboring gentry who had been in- 
vited to the banquet arrived. Lord Phantomfell, Lord 
Beenville, Sir William Gray and Doctor Godkins, who 
was descended from one of the noblest houses of 
North England; also the neighboring clergyman, 
whose society was greatly enjoyed by Mr. Hayston, 
the chaplain, though holding different views from 
those held by himself. The banquet was superb, but 
when wine began to flow freely and the reveling com- 
menced, the ladies rose to return to the drawing-room, 
and were accompanied by Lord de Bruce, Doctor God- 
kins and the Earl, who made it their rule never to 
indulge in more wine than was proper to use in the 


2l6 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


presence of the ladies, leaving the clergymen and the 
young lords to the care of Louis and Guy. Louis, 
being of a convivial nature, was a jovial companion, 
and especially a singer of good songs; while Guy 
was a mild and a pleasant entertainer, indulging in 
much mirth and good humor. 

Doctor Godkins and Annie, with gold-colored flow- 
ers in her dusky hair, promenaded up and down the 
magnificent great hall, in one end of which the Christ- 
mas fire roared and crackled in the yawning fireplace, 
where was “the oaken log, green, huge and thick, and 
on its top the stout back stick,” etc. The hall was 
further lighted by the flaming tongues of a great 
candelabrum. Flora, with the Misses Bruneaugh, 
Rorey and Julien, were flitting hither and thither. 
Now and then Rorey or Julien would catch one, un- 
suspecting, under a bough of mistletoe, and, claim- 
ing the forfeit, there would be a tussle, with the fair 
one resisting the osculation, and much merriment from 
the others. 

The Earl had led Lady Kathryn to an aerial win- 
dow reaching out from the library, apart from their 
merry companions. Two odoriferous Arabesque cen- 
sers near the door threw a fitful and subdued light 
over them. 

“Dear cousin,” he said, “you know that on to- 
morrow morn I must leave you — I must say good-bye. 
I am to take up my abode in London for a great 
length of time. Months must elapse ere I shall be 
permitted to see you, sweet cousin, again.” 

“My Lord,” she returned softly, “I do not wish to 
bid you good-bye.” 

“I shall be absent until August, doubtless— near 
eight months hence — will return in time for our great 
hunting party at the old Tower of Weirwolf.” 

“That is a long time,” she murmured, all atremble. 

“Attendance on Parliament and official duties will 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


217 

keep me away. I will open up my city residence, and 
London will be my home for the greater part of the 
incoming year/’ 

“I shall not be present, my Lord, when you take 
leave/' 

“Shall I, then, say good-bye here — now ?" 

“No, my Lord ; I cannot say good-bye." 

“Lady Kathryn, will you remember your promise 
tome?" 

“I will, my Lord." 

“You will not go out alone?" 

“I will never break a promise to any one," she said, 
with a deep sigh, while a deadly pallor settled over 
her face and she trembled. 

“Then, dear cousin, I should like to ask of you 
another promise — one that would make me happy and 
cheer me in my absence. If you " 

“No, no, my Lord ! Do not ! I cannot !" 

“I must at least tell you that which I have so long 
wished — tell you of my " 

“My Lord, please take me to the fire; I am getting 
cold." Her face was of marble whiteness. He took 
her hands, which she had been wringing. They were 
cold; cold. 

“My sweet, sweet cousin!" he cried, “are you ill? 
You are so cold!" She sighed heavily. Caressing 
her hands, he said : 

“Forgive me for keeping you here, away from the 
fire. The room is quite warm to me ; I had not thought 
of your being cold. Surely you are ill, my sweet 
cousin! Your face, but a moment ago glowing with 
warmth and loveliness, is now like the snow outside, 
which beneath the window lies." Noticing an appeal- 
ing look in her eyes, he led her to the drawing-room, 
where a number were sitting around the fire listening 
to some war stories, related with great zest, by Lord 
de Bruce. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


218 

Kathryn sank upon a sofa which had been drawn up 
near the fire on one side, just within the deep em- 
brasure of a window. Lord Clifton seated himself 
beside her, anxiously regarding her face, the soft vel- 
vet drapery from the windows forming a canopy over 
their heads. 

Thus they sat, listening to Lord de Bruce’s rehearsal 
of mighty deeds of valor, and sometimes conversing in 
low, soft tones. 

At the approach of midnight, the banquet was grow- 
ing loud, and fast flowed round the wine and ale. Lord 
Beenville, who appeared to be self-appointed toast- 
master for the occasion, now rose, in an unsteady 
manner, and pledged a bumper to Miss Rose 
Bruneaugh, whom he denominated the Rose of Cum- 
berland; to which many cheers were given and much 
wine was drunk. 

Then after the guests who were able to keep their 
feet began to retire, and while Lord Phantomfell 
snored loudly in his chair, and Lord Beenville sat with 
closed eyes, Guy began to tease Louis, saying: 

“I see plainly, Louis, you are fascinated with the 
vivacious little Amazon. Next we know you will be 
wanting to marry her.” 

“Marry her, Guy! I’d as soon take a bumblebee to 
my breast as that fiery little wasp — the little spitfire ! 
By Saint Hubert, she hath the temper of a wild-cat, 
sir!” 

“Hush !” whispered Guy, with a motion toward 
Lord Beenville. “You are rather outspoken. Lord 
Beenville is not always asleep when his eyes are shut. 
You know well his nature, Louis, to repeat all he hap- 
pens to hear, adding more to it.” 

“Never fear him, he is in the land o’ dreams.” 

“How is it, Louis, you rode in the forest with her 
yesterday, and have danced attendance in her wake all 
this day; how hath she awakened within your breast 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD, 


219 


such a storm of rage? Did not you, on her arrival 
here, pronounce her the most captivating little elf? 
Aha, Louis, perhaps you led her under the mistletoe, 
and, claiming the forfeit, were pointedly refused.” 

“True, too true! Guy, I did offer to kiss her under 
the mistletoe, and she slapped me roundly for my 
temerity.” 

“Ho ! ho ! ho !” 

“The little hornet ! I had no idea she would resent 
it, being under the mistletoe.” 

“Ho! ho! ho!” 

“She told me plainly never to undertake to kiss her 
again, mistletoe or no mistletoe. Yet we are friends. 
But somehow to-night I feel to resent the slap the spir- 
ited little witch gave me, when I was anticipating a 
more pleasurable sensation.” 

“Aye, Louis, you have taken too much wine to- 
night. You will get over it. ‘White hands cannot of- 
fend/ says Calomard.” 

Louis and Guy now entered the drawing-room, ac- 
companied by Reverend Mr. Hayston. The young 
lords and the visiting clergymen, being too inebriate, 
had been sent to their appointed beds. 

Mr. Hayston offered up a prayer of thanksgiving 
for the many mercies which had been showered upon 
them throughout the year. 

Then, after an old custom, pages on bended knee 
presented to each the brimming cup of rich spiced wine 
from a deep silver bowl, and, amid a hum of merry 
light talk, they began to leave the rooms, to retire, each 
to his own apartment. The Earl and Kathryn, linger- 
ing yet a moment near the fire, he said: 

“You are feeling better now?” 

“Yes, yes, my Lord ; I am not ill, I assure you.” 

“You will not let me depart without the pleasure of 
seeing you in the morning, dear cousin ?” 


220 'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“No, my Lord; I will be down to breakfast, but 
will not bid you good-bye.” 

“You will not ?” 

“No, my Lord.” 

“Then you will allow me to kiss your hand, here, 
now, before you go?” 

/ “Oh, no !” She is about to flee. 

“Yes! Wait!” He seizes her hands, warm enough 
now, presses them in his own, then kisses them both 
ardently. She tries to draw them away — to run after 
the others, now chatting in the hall, but he holds her 
hands, saying: 

“Allow me to escort you,” and leads her to the foot 
of the stairway; then pressed her hand warmly. She 
now drew away, and saying “Good-night,” fled up the 
steps; overtaking Flora and Rose, she went up arm- 
in-arm with them. Now she was so happy, but her 
happiness was fitful, and she was most unhappy again 
by the time she reached her apartments. 

Next morning His Lordship’s coach and six stood 
in the courtyard near the castle gates. Attendants 
thronged the court — coachmen, postillions, outriders, 
hackneys — all in Fleetwood livery. 

The family, with the guests, had gathered in the 
breakfast parlor. Lady Kathryn came down late — 
so late that Lord Clifton had begun to fear that she 
might not come — and after the morning salutation she 
slipped quietly into her accustomed seat beside the 
Earl. She looked superb in a rich velvet costume, 
most becoming and tasteful; her face was of a deli- 
cate peach-pink. 

She was charming, and joined in the table-talk with 
uncommon zest and vivacity. The Earl admired her 
much, and thought her more brilliant than he had 
ever before known her. 

Lord Phantomfell was with Annie ; Lord Beenville, 
looking remarkably well after his excessive indulgence 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


22 1 


the night previous, sat beside Rosa, near the farther 
end of the table, at Lady Hawren’s right, and was just 
now saying to her in an undertone : 

“I have somewhat to tell thee after breakfast, Miss 
Rosa, my little friend, if you will but grant me oppor- 
tunity for a little private talk/’ with a furtive glance 
from under his heavy eyebrows toward Louis, rolling 
his eyes round, without raising or turning his head. 
Louis was devoting himself to Miss Bruneaugh, and 
did not notice the glance. 

Sir Willie Gr&y sat beside Flora. 

The Earl noticed that Kathryn ate nothing, but only 
pretended to eat. When the meal was over and all 
stood chatting about the glowing fire in the charm- 
ing breakfast parlor, he went from one to another say- 
ing good-bye, each wishing him a safe or a pleasant 
journey and a speedy return. On turning to speak to 
Kathryn, he found she had disappeared. As he passed 
into the drawing-room he heard Lady Hawren saying 
to her guests: 

“Now I will show you through the conservatory, 
where we have some charming exotics and tropical 
luxuries in the way of blooming flowers.” 

In the drawing-room he saw no one. He had hoped 
to find Kathryn here. How his heart throbbed as he 
started on to his room to don his traveling cloak and 
furs! Passing near the doorway leading from the 
drawing-room to the library, screened only with rich 
hangings, he heard a gentle sigh. Lifting the tapestry, 
he saw Lady Kathryn seated in front of the fire, her 
face in her hands, sobbing. She had not heard his 
step, for the soft carpet yielded no sound, but started 
at the rustling of the portieres. On seeing Lord Clif- 
ton, she sprang to her feet, her face all suffused with 
tears. 

Through the windowpanes, of tinted glass, rolled the 


222 


VE2RL OF FLEETWOOD 


beams of the rising sun, flooding the room and the 
occupants with a crimson glow. 

“My Lord, I — I supposed you had gone,” she said, 
all a-tremble, for joy and anguish within her heart 
struggled for supremacy. 

“Pardon the intrusion ! I could not go without see- 
ing you. I heard you sigh! Wherefore that sigh?” 
he asked, in a deep, mellow voice, her hands in his 
own. “Darling, surely now you will listen to me — let 
me tell you how I love you ! You must know that I 
love you, darling. My heart is all yours. I have loved 
you since first we met — since the first passing glimpse 
I had of you in the coach my heart has had no rest. 
Darling, can you — do you love me?” She raised her 
eyes to his, so soft and expressive, yet she could not 
speak. “Your eyes speak ! I cannot be mistaken,” he 
exclaimed, clasping her in his strong arms. “You do 
love me! Speak, darling, and tell me that you love 
me ; that you will be mine — be my bride when I re- 
turn. Then will I have something to look forward 
to — something to hope for ” 

“No, no, my Lord! I cannot; I cannot,” she cried 
brokenly. “Oh, my heart will break !” Her face as- 
sumed the cold pallor of death. She swooned in his 
arms, and so death-like was she, as he held her to his 
breast, that he was much frightened, and cried out: 
“Marie! Marie!” 

Someone entered now. 

“Oh, Miss Annie, is it you? Lady Kathryn has 
swooned,” he said. 

“Oh, what is to be done?” cried Annie, who had 
not gone with the others to the conservatory, and was 
just passing out when she heard his call for 
Marie. 

“Place her here on the couch, my Lord, and run for 
her mother, or Mrs. Macleod,” said Annie, excitedly. 
Just then Marie appeared and ran to Annie’s assist- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


223 


arice. The Earl soon returned with Mrs. Macleod, 
whom he had found in the breakfast parlor, adjoining 
the drawing-room. Marie brought water, Annie ran 
to her own room to fetch a restorative, and Mrs. 
Macleod was bathing Kathryn’s face. She now 
opened her eyes and, sighing deeply, looked up into 
his face. The Earl, losing self-control, dropped on his 
knees beside her, caught her in his arms, kissed her 
lips and strained her to his breast ; then, rising hastily, 
he clasped Mrs. Macleod’s hand, saying: 

“Take good care of her for me, Mammie,” and, 
rushing from the room, he met Annie returning, hast- 
ily, with a volatile. Bidding her good-bye again, he 
was soon in his coach and on his way to London. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

AN EVENING AT FLEETWOOD CASTLE. 

“Oh, happy as the gods is he, 

Who listens at this hour to Thee.” 

The Earl wrote regularly to Lady Hawren, keep- 
ing her in touch with his movements, informing her of 
his political triumphs and his social successes ; the sit- 
tings of Parliament; of King and courtiers. Since the 
adjournment of Parliament he had been in a whirl 
of excitement; had gone to Paris for six weeks, in 
attendance on the Duke of Bedford, in company with 
a number of his friends. While there, had enjoyed 
a splendid visit with her uncle, Count Dubois-Ray- 
mond, and his most excellent family. Now, in his 
last letter, he said that by the last of August he would 
be with them again. 

As Lady Hawren had written him that Edwin 
Arranton was now in Oxford, pursuing his studies in 
New College, he wrote that he would deem it a great 
pleasure, as he returned home, to come by that an- 


224 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


cient city, make Edwin’s acquaintance, and pay him 
a visit of a few days; and, as ever, closed his letter 
by sending much love to his gentle cousin, Lady 
Kathryn. 

Great preparation was now being made in anticipa- 
tion of his return, and every one, as usual after a pro- 
longed absence, was on the qui vive for his coming. 

Kathryn was determined hereafter to conduct her- 
self toward him with the strictest decorum and dig- 
nity. She must never allow him to know that she 
loved him ; it would be giving him encouragement to 
think she might wed him, when she realized that she 
could never do so ; for she had made a solemn promise 
to the contrary. She must keep her promise. Be- 
sides, there were horrible accusations against him, 
and, though she could never believe them, she felt it 
her duty to give him no encouragement whatever. 
He must not read her secret in her eyes. She must 
never yield again to her feelings, as she had done, 
lest he should read her very heart and- know how 
dearly she did love him. She felt so cold and miser- 
able now — so hopeless. He should never speak of love 
to her again ; she would not permit it. Thus she 
meditated in her own room, while being dressed, with 
much care, in pure white, with scarlet flowers in her 
hair and on her corsage. She now felt very brave 
and determined. 

It was dusky twilight when he arrived. Sunset’s 
light had fled, leaving but a shadow of what had been 
a bright and lovely autumnal day. 

Lady Hawren, Mrs. Macleod and Flora met him in 
the hall, and greeted him with a most hearty welcome. 
He then proceeded to his room to change his travel- 
ing suit for one of evening wear. 

Kathryn had decided that she would meet him in 
the drawing-room, with great decorum, in the pres- 
ence of the invited guests. She descended with her 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


225 


arm around Annie’s waist, and accepted a seat beside 
Doctor Godkins, talking and laughing with assumed 
gaiety, while Annie and Lord Phantomfell sat near, 
conversing pleasantly. 

The Earl now entered, with Guy Brignol, attended 
by Louis and Rorey, who had been absent with him. 

All rose at once to greet them. The Earl was 
superb in the latest French style. Instead of the long 
curls, he wore his hair in side tresses and queue, tied 
with a soft ribbon. His dress, always simple, was of 
exquisite make — coat longer than the usual cut, and 
collarless ; vest shorter than formerly ; long cuffs 
reaching his elbows ; breeches buckled below the knee, 
instead of above ; silk hose, low shoes with buckles ; 
a falling band of richest lace enveloped his throat, 
the loosely tied ends falling over the vest front. 

He shook hands cordially with his friends as he 
came to them. His eyes immediately sought out 
Kathryn. He wondered why she had not met him 
in the hall with her mother and others of the house- 
hold. 

At his first glance her face wore a charming pink 
tint, but by the time he had shaken hands with Annie, 
Lord Phantomfell and Doctor Godkins, and had 
reached her side, her face was like marble ; her hand 
trembled in his clasp, as he gave it a gentle pressure, 
and passed on. She could scarcely stand while she 
greeted Louis and Rorey, who followed ; then sank 
back in her seat beside the doctor. Hearing her quick 
breathing, he looked in her face, and saw that she was 
near swooning. Acting promptly, from his pocket he 
drew a little pouncet, and, giving it a vigorous shake, 
he placed it under her nostrils, while Rorey was seat- 
ing His Lordship. The Earl of Fleetwood, being the 
center of attraction, all eyes were turned upon him, 
and no one observed this little by-play. The volatile 
having the desired effect, the doctor quickly returned 


226 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


the pouncet to his pocket, and smiled knowingly on 
Kathryn, who, feeling grateful for his promptness in 
rendering her a service, and also being amused at the 
queerness of the act, smiled too, the blood mounting 
to her face and neck. The Earl, as he seated himself, 
observed the mutual glance, the smile, the blush, for 
his eyes had returned to her the moment he reached 
his seat, and wondered. The doctor, being a fascinat- 
ing man and young enough, may he not have won her 
love? — his fearful heart asked of him. 

But Doctor Godkins now rose, and making an obei- 
sance to Lady Kathryn, crossed the room to where 
Lady Hawren stood conversing with Rorey and Louis, 
ostensibly for the purpose of telling her of a sick 
woman in the neighborhood, one of his patients, who 
needed help and attention; thus giving the Earl an 
opportunity to have a seat beside Lady Kathryn, of 
which he soon availed himself, while the doctor, 
standing beside Lady Hawren, was saying: 

“What, indeed, is it, Lady Hawren, to the poor suf- 
ferer, though she be a Presbyterian, if you two in 
faith and love agree ; while you, with generous deeds 
uplift the ‘pearl of Christian charity/ I could point 
you, Lady Hawren, to others, too, who would be 
cheered by your gracious smile, but you know all the 
hypochondriacs and rheumatic old people in the neigh- 
borhood, who always accord you a gracious welcome 
and regard you with love and reverence, as do the rest 
of us ” 

“Ho! ho! ho!” 

“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Louis and Rorey. The 
doctor smiled and Lady Hawren blushed. The Earl, 
gracefully crossing the room, asked permission to have 
a seat beside Lady Kathryn, which she granted by 
a mere inclination of the head, her heart throbbing 
so wildly she feared he must hear it, and really felt 
]the need of another whiff of the doctor’s volatile, but 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 227 

she made room for him beside her on the causeuse. 

“Dear cousin, how glad am I to find myself once 

again in your presence ” He paused, feeling a 

little checked by her dignified and constrained bear- 
ing, but continued: 

“I came by Oxford, and met, and had a most pleas- 
ant visit with, your cousin Edwin ; and I beg to as- 
sure you I am much pleased with him. He is a 
manly fellow, and handsome as Apollo.” 

Kathryn was so delighted to hear news of her 
cousin, from whom she had so long been separated, 
that her dignity and reserve vanished at once, and 
she cried : 

“Oh, the dear boy! Dear Edwin! You saw him, 
my Lord?” Her eagerness to hear from Edwin 
kindled a brilliant glow on her cheeks, her eyes flamed 
with enthusiastic interest. He gazed, enraptured, on 
her lovely face, changing from marble-like whiteness 
to a charming crimson. 

“Yes, my Lady, I spent two days in Oxford, most 
of the time in his company.” 

“Is he well; and are his surroundings pleasant? 
Oh, my cousin ! My Lord, will you kindly tell me of 
his situation in the old town of Oxford — and, oh, my 
Lord, could not he have come with you for a little 
while ? I am dying to see him !” 

“No, my dear cousin; he is earnestly engaged at 
present ; is very diligent in his studies. His achieve- 
ments at William and Mary, where he secured his 
degree, were remarkable. His health at present is 
fine, judging from his appearance.” 

“And his surroundings, my Lord; are pleasant?” 

“All that could be wished, my Lady. The glory 
of New College, as is known to all the world, is its 
garden, whence he has a glimpse of the Spires and 
Towers; and where the enchantments of the Middle 
Ages still linger. Nothing, my dear cousin, could be 


228 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


more complete than the beauty of his surroundings.’’ 
Kathryn listened eagerly as Clifton talked and told 
her of Edwin’s achievements at William and Mary, 
and of his surroundings at Oxford. Her eyes sparkled 
with intense feeling, and, under the excitement, she 
was singularly beautiful. The Earl regarded her 
with ardent pleasure. When supper was announced, 
he rose and courteously asked permission to escort 
her to the dining-hall. 

During supper there was much discussion and de- 
liberation in regard to the proposed ^hunt, which was 
to embrace the next three or four weeks, and prepara- 
tion for this great pleasure party was to begin at 
once. 

“My dear Lord Phantomfell, you are to accompany 
us,” said the Earl. 

“Thank you, my Lord! Shewly! I would not foh 
the wold miss this gweat tweat — no, not foh the 
wo’ld ! It will be gwand ! Splendid ! Then there will 
be Miss Augustah and her little Amazonian sister — oh, 
not foah the wo’ld would I miss this tweat! Thank 
you, my Lord ; thank you, suh !” 

“Doctor, surely we are to have the pleasure of your 
company on this occasion ; we could not well do with- 
out you,” said the Earl. 

“Ah, my Lord ; I deplore the fact that I shall not be 
able to join your party, as much as I would like to 
do so. I shall be debarred the happiness.” 

“Oh, doctor, why are we to be deprived of your 
company?” asked Lady Hawren. 

“My Lady, as much as I regret it, I am to spend 
the next two months in London, where our fraternity 
will meet, and be engaged in lectures and scientific 
researches. I beg to assure your Ladyship, it is nearly 
breaking my heart to be thus debarred this great pleas- 
ure of revisiting the scenes of my youth. I was 
brought up not far from the old Tower, and have 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


229 

spent many happy days in Weirwolf chase. There 
is scarcely a brook or fell in this lovely region but 
has its legend, or story, written in my memory, to 
say nothing of being deprived of the pleasure of your 
Ladyship’s charming company, and that of the other 
ladies who will be of your number,” he said, gra- 
ciously, with a bow and smile, in which he included all 
the ladies present. But he sighed as he ceased to 
speak, and there was an expression of sadness in his 
dark-brown eyes, usually so full of mirth. 

“Oh, doctor ; how we shall miss you ! What a pity 
you must be called off to London, just as we want 
your company so very much!” said Kathryn, sympa- 
thetically. “I should regret to be deprived of this 
great pleasure his Lordship has in store for us.” 

“Yet, my Lady, I must betake myself to the world 
of art and science, while you and your friends indulge 
in the sports of Nimrod,” he said, a little sadly. 
Then, more cheerfully, continued : “It would delight 
my heart to see you, Miss Hamilton,” with a courte- 
ous bow to Annie, “mounted on a fleet hunter, dash- 
ing over field and fell, through the copse and hether 
wild, close onto the quarry, surrounded by the yelping 
pack ” 

“Oh, doctor, do you insist on doing homage to 
Minerva, while we shall engage in the more pleasur- 
able sports of Diana? I know not how we are to 
dispense with your society. This is to be my first 
attempt at the chase, and, as I am not familiar with 
the horse, I fear that I shall make but a poor display 
‘a-chasing the wild deer.’ ” 

“And think you, you would not be able to keep 
your saddle all day, in a steady chase?” enquired the 
doctor. 

“Oh, never! Never! I should die!” 

“How is it with my Lady Kathryn; is not she a 
dextrous huntress?” 


230 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Oh, Doctor Godkins, I also am a novice, and 
know little of the chase, but am proud to say I can 
manage a horse.” 

“Doctor, I can assure you she is a fine horsewoman,” 
said Clifton, “and will make a huntress worth speak- 
ing of ; will be able to follow the hounds through 
dingle and dell, where sport the hart and the roe.” 

Kathryn bowed and smiled her thanks for his com- 
mendation. 

“You will do well, my Kate, if you keep pace with 
the Earl,” said the doctor. “He is a huntsman of 
great skill and superiority, I can assure you,” and, 
turning to Annie, he continued: “And, Miss Hamil- 
ton, you will soon become familiar with the exercise, 
and will be able, without emotion, to clear a hedge or 
leap a ditch.” 

“Doctor, I should not like to have you witness my 
first attempt at such a feat,” she replied. 

“Well ; now there’s Phantomfell will, I’m sure, de- 
light in teaching you, Ma’am. He’s an unrivaled 
huntsman ; has been carefully trained in the craft, and 
can sit his horse all day without fatigue.” 

“Thank you, doctor; thank you, sir,” said Phan- 
tomfell ; “hunting has constituted an essential part 
of my education. I must say I inhewited the love 
fowh the chase — yes, inhewited it, you might say ; 
have always been fond of field sports. Yes, Miss 
Hamilton, yes; I will take gweat delight, I do as- 
suwah you, in diwecting youah equestwian feats ; in 
leaping hurdle, hedge or ditch I will see that no 
misfowhtune shall happen to you. Yes, I will see 
to that, dear lady.” 

“My Lord, I thank you very much for your kind- 
ness,” returned Annie, with a quick glance toward 
Louis and Guy, who both smiled. Returning to the 
drawing-room, the Earl led Kathryn back to the 
causeuse, where they sat, apart from the rest, for 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD. 


231 


the entire evening, conversing in a gentle murmur, al- 
together contrary to her expectation and previous de- 
termination. The separation had been of such long 
duration, they had much to engage them in conversa- 
tion. While with charming converse and gay music 
Annie and Flora engage the rest of the party, “and 
sense and wisdom flow in sweet discourse/' 

Kathryn was repeatedly asked to sing, but Clifton 
had said to her : 

“Dear cousin, as much as I should delight to hear 
your voice in sweet song, I prefer to have you by my 
side now that I have so much to say, and so many 
questions to ask as to how you have spent your time 
since we parted, so long ago." Thus she declined to 
sing, acquiescing to the Earl's wish, as well as to the 
promptings of her own heart; and said: 

“My Lord, then you will tell me more of Edwin. 
How long ere we shall have him here with us?" 

“In just one short year, my dear cousin, he will 
be here." 

“Short year? Oh, my cousin, it will be to me the 
longest year !" 

“Sweet cousin, it is not really necessary for him 
to remain in Oxford for more than one term more — 
he may be able to come earlier in the summer ; that is, 
perhaps." 

“Oh, my Lord! Perhaps — what mean you?" 

“Dear cousin, be not anxious ; he has only grown 
tired of so close application to the study of law, in 
which, I can assure you, he has made rapid ad- 
vancement, and is inclined toward the military ; is 
thinking some of joining the army, and is spending all 
his vacations training in the militia, where he has com- 
mand of a company, and is looking forward to mili- 
tary service " 

“Oh, tell me not so!" she cried with emotion, dis- 


232 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

may depicted on her face ; on seeing which he hastened 
to add: 

“ ’Tis only local militia, and could only be marched 
to service in the event of actual invasion.” 

“Ah, my cousin Edwin ! He was ever fond of mili- 
tary parade, my Lord, and was ever in training at 
home — in America.” 

“My cousin, he is enrolled only for discipline and 
instructiou” 

“Oh, my Lord, he will go away and become a sol- 
dier !” she cried, burying her face in her hands. 

“Dear, dear cousin, I should not have told you 
this — I would not for the world cause you one mo- 
ment’s sorrow,” he said regretfully. 

“Listen while I shall tell you of Oxford — that beau- 
tiful old city of fine schools,” he said, as one trying 
to pacify a spoiled child, removing her hands from 
her face and holding them in. his own. 

She raised her eyes, with teardrops trembling on 
their lids. 

“My Lord, will you; oh, will you tell me a story?” 

“Aye, my cousin; I will take great pleasure in tell- 
ing you a story relating to the ancient city. Oxford 
is so old a place that no one knows of its founding. 
There is a tradition that goes beyond the earliest his- 
tory of the town.” 

“Oh, my Lord, I love traditions,” she cried, with- 
drawing her trembling hands from his and seeking a 
little cambric handkerchief and applying it to her eyes, 
now radiant with beauty, beaming through her tears. 
“Please do, my Lord,” she said eagerly. 

“Then, first of all, I will tell you the charming 
story of St. Fridesyde,” he said, smiling with delight 
at her eagerness, at the same time enraptured with 
her beauty. And thus he began : 

“About the year 727 there lived in the place where 
Oxford now stands Didan, a prince who had a lovely 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


233 


daughter. She being of a very religious turn, and 
wishing to separate herself from the world, he built 
for her a convent, in which she took the veil, that she 
might give herself wholly to Divine worship and the 
offices of a religious life. She possessed great per- 
sonal charms, being accounted the flower of all these 
parts. The King of Leicester, whose name was Alger, 
and who was said to be a sprightly prince, asked her 
hand in marriage, and when his suit was rejected, 
went out with a great following, intent on destroying 
the city with fire and sword. The Princess, being 
much frightened, fled into Brampton Woods, to escape 
the vengeance of her importunate lover. He, pursu- 
ing her into this great forest retreat, was smitten 
with blindness. Then the Princess returned to the 
city, where she lived for many years in great peace, 
no foe ever after daring to approach the place. From 
that day to this, Oxford has preserved her privileges 
against the assaults of all enemies. St. Fridesyde — 
the Princess — died and was buried in her own con- 
vent, some fragments of which remain in the chapel 
of Christ Church Cathedral. Oxford, incidentally, 
therefore, grew up about a shrine. In the twelfth 
century here were to be found the beginnings of the 
University.” 

“Oh, how very interesting, my Lord,” she said, with 
a gentle sigh at the conclusion. “I thank you much.” 

“My Lady, shall I go on and tell you something of 
the present city, where your cousin now resides; the 
same where I spent some of my happiest years?” 

“Please do, my Lord. How kind of you! I am 
deeply interested.” 

“Approaching the city a few days ago, from a 
distant eminence I looked down upon the great Uni- 
versity — its towers, its spires and ivy-grown walls, 
situate in the loveliest gardens in the world. How my 
heart thrilled with delight as my ears caught the 


234 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


sound of the bells, pealing across the city in an almost 
continuous wave ; and bounded tumultuously, as I en- 
tered through the gateway under the great tower, 
opening into the main quadrangle. I soon found my- 
self within the sweet seclusion of the gardens in Ox- 
ford, which were at this time a mass of richest foliage 
and flowers. Ah, well do I love her walks, overhung 
with stately trees, her lawns of richest verdure ; and the 
river, to whose banks often I had, in my school days, 
withdrawn to find a quiet spot in which I might pur- 
sue my studies.” 

“Oh, my Lord, and this lovely spot, where you pur- 
sued your studies — withdrawing to the quiet river, 
and studying under the influence of the gentle mur- 
murings of its peaceful waters — is the same where 
Edwin now is — where he now studies?” 

“Yes, my Lady — during the summer or Easter 
term,” he said, gazing into her beautiful eyes, full of 
inquiry. “And from this garden may be seen the re- 
mains of the old Norman castle, whose tower still 
stands as a monument or as a lone sentinel guarding 
the ruins — the tower of St. Michael’s Church, and 
many ancient buildings, rich with the tracery of the 
Middle Ages ; as well as the remains of the old 
Roman wall, which once enclosed the whole city ; and 
a bit of the wall of St. Fridesyde’s ancient church.” 

“And, my Lord, was the severe old provost a devotee 
to the rod — did he flog alike the innocent and guilty, 
with indiscriminating delight?” 

“Be assured, my Lady.” 

“And was it ever your fate, my Lord, to fall into 
his indiscriminating hands?” she asked archly. 

“Never, I assure you. I somehow managed always 
to escape the fearful rod,” he answered softly, look- 
ing into her bewildering eyes. 

“ Twas your gentle demeanor, no doubt, saved 


you. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD. 


2 35 


“I know not, my gentle cousin, whether my escape 
could be attributed to my gentle demeanor — possibly 
’twas finesse.” 

“Finesse, my Lord? No! You would never re- 
sort to artifice for a shield.” 

“Thank you. And we were always called to dinner 
by two choirboys shouting this unacademic invita- 
tion: ‘Tempus est vocandi a-manger, 0 Seigneurs !' 
in a prolonged drawl, and they developed great skill 
in prolonging the syllables, that the sentence might 
last until we should all reach the eating kitchen.” 

“Oh, how funny! My Lord, you give a glowing 
description of my cousin’s surroundings. I am glad 
to know that his locale is so pleasant, and appre- 
ciate your great kindness in coming by to see him. 
Do you feel quite sure, my Lord, that he will be with 
us next summer?” 

“I will give you my promise that he shall be with 
us, dear cousin, if my influence is worth anything. I 
am sure he is quite anxious to visit you, and will 
start, possibly soon after commemoration-day, which 
is an annual solemnity in honor of the benefactor of 
the University.” 

“Oh, my Lord, I thank you !” How her heart smote 
her bosom now, as she caught the look of devotion 
he gave her, and she felt that she must not encourage 
him to love her. She must be more dignified and 
distant. 

“And now,” he said, “your Ladyship will tell me of 
yourself after I left. How were you pleased with 
your visitors, Lord and Lady de Bruce and the young 
ladies ?” Kathryn’s face flushed scarlet. He was 
looking intently at her, as vividly the scene of his de- 
parture came up before her mind, and she said, a 
little unevenly: 

“My Lord, we just love them all ; they are delight- 
ful people. Then mother wrote you of our visit to 


236 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Carlisle. Yes, nothing would do but we must ac- 
company them home, and remain for a fortnight. I 
do assure you we had a most delightful visit; met 
again the Earl and Countess of Carlisle. They took 
us out to one of their country seats for a few days, 
and gave a great house-warming while there, which 
was attended by all the gentry of the neighborhood. 
The dear countess is more lovely on closer acquaint- 
ance than I had thought her. Then she, after return- 
ing to Carlisle, gave a grand costume ball, which was 
well attended. She played the role of Iris, a golden- 
winged goddess, in a long flowing tunic with the 
brightness of the rainbow, carrying a herald’s staff and 
a pitcher. Her office was that of a youthful mes- 
senger bearing messages to King Olympus, who was 
represented by the Earl of Carlisle. Annie figured 
as a gypsy queen, and told everybody’s fortune.” 

“And whom did you represent, my Lady,” he asked. 

“I? Oh, I appeared as a Greek nymph, in sylvan 
dress of pale green silk — my silver lute, with which 
I accompanied my voice, was carried by a little page 
who followed me everywhere, and on every turn I 
sang for those who asked me some simple love ditty, 
of which I possess a store. Oh, I do assure you we 

spent a lovely evening. And, my Lord ” He was 

gazing rapturously on her flushed face. “I met such 
a charming young man — the Countess presented him 
at the very first, and we were thrown together the 
entire evening, both representing the same nationality. 
He appeared as a celebrated Greek bard — Simonides 
— and sang for me the loveliest sonnets of some heart- 
melting ” She paused, confused by his reproach- 

ful look. 

“My Lady, did the sweet sonnets of your Simonides 
melt your gentle heart to tears, as he is famed to 
have melted others in ages past?” 

“My Lord, I cannot say that they did not.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


237 


“ Tis said of the ancient Simonides that he had 
the power, not only to sadden the mirth of the gay 
and thoughtless, but to melt to tears the stern and 
cold-hearted.” 

“My Lord, he sang with great pathos of heroic 
achievements of brave men, and with much tenderness 
he sang some love songs from the Greek •” 

“For your ears alone, no doubt !” 

“Yes, for me; and we sang together, our voices 
mingling in sweet accord, some sweet strains such, 
my Lord, as had your tuneful ear but caught, en- 
tranced, you would have paused to listen.” 

“I doubt it not, my Lady; but who was he who 
could so well represent the Simonides of other days?” 

“My Lord, a Mr. de Vere — a most charming man.” 

“Ah, my friend Virgil de Vere, prospective heir of 
Bellingham, whose pedigree is unrivaled in antiquity 
and splendor.” 

“You know him, my Lord?” 

“Know him! Aye, I know him well — a cotfSin of 
Lord Hawdon’s.” 

“My Lord, is not he a nice Simonides?” 

“I have never seen him in that role, but he is alto- 
gether a nice gentleman. We spent four years in Ox- 
ford together.” 

“When I spoke of you, my Lord, he said that he 
knew you.” 

“You spoke of me, then? Oh, Kate, dare I hope 
that you even thought of me, in the midst of all your 
enjoyment?” he asked eagerly. 

“He asked about you, my Lord.” 

“Oh, he asked about me! What did you tell him 
of me, sweet cousin? He has been absent; it is long 
since I saw him.” 

“Oh, I told him that you were a good kind of a 
cousin,” she said, coquettishly, and smiling sweetly, 
thinking she would awaken within him a little jeal- 


1EARL r 0F FLEETWOOD 


^38 

ousy ; then continued : “The good Countess seems 
to look upon him as a special friend.” 

“He is a particular friend of the family, I believe.” 

“Where does he live, my Lord?” 

“He travels much — often in foreign countries, as 
attache in the suite of the Embassador, as member of 
Legation. When at home he resides at Cat-Head- 
Castle, with his mother, who is a sister of our friend 
Doctor Godkins. She is a widow lady of fine family, 
in moderate circumstances, though descended from a 
family of immense wealth. She owns an estate only 
five miles south of Carlisle, on the River Eden. There 
she resides in the old de Vere castle, called Cat-Head, 
on account of a spur of high points rising some 
distance back of the castle, having, from some points 
of view, the appearance of Sphinxes, or the heads of 
some huge, wild animal, and when at home he resides 
here with his mother and sister.” 

“Oh, my Lord, has this charming man a sister?” 

“Indeed he has, and she is no less charming, in 
my eyes, than he.” 

“And he is dear old Doctor Godkins’s nephew? 
Who else did you mention?” 

“Lord Hawdon.” 

“I have not met him, my Lord ?” 

“No, I think not. He spends most of his time in 
London, where he has a widowed sister, Baroness 
Brundridge. They keep up a sumptuous residence 
there, but sometimes spend a summer near here, at 
his country seat, Hawdon Manor, not far from Cat- 
Head-Castle. Hawdon and de Vere are doubly re- 
lated — their mothers were sisters, their fathers cousins 
in some degree.” 

“Is Lord Hawdon so nice, then, as my Simonides, 
Mr. de Vere?” 

“I cannot say, but must leave you to be judge of 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 5239 

that when you meet Lord Hawdon. De Vere’s en- 
gaging manners and beauty of person make him a 
favorite wherever he goes, and though he is not a 
titled gentleman, he is descended from a most an- 
cient family. It was said of Audry de Vere, twen- 
tieth, and last, of the Earls of Oxford, that he was 
not only the noblest subject in England, but the noblest 
subject in all Europe. He derived his title from an 
uninterrupted male descendant from a time when the 
families of Howard and Seymour were still obscure — 
when the Nevils and Percies enjoyed only a provincial 
celebrity. One of the de Vere’s held high command 
as far back as the Battle of Hastings ; another marched 
with Godfrey and Tancred to the Holy Land; and on 
down the line they were all great men, but from be- 
ginning to end there are found none more noble than 
my friend Virgil de Vere.” 

“My Lord, you said he is prospective heir to the 
Earldom of Bellingham ?” 

“Yes, my cousin, the present Earl of Bellingham is 
a very old gentleman. He had two brothers. The 
elder of the two died, leaving only one son, who was 
Lord Hawdon, father of the present Lord Hawdon, 
who is actual heir to the earldom of Bellingham. The 
other left a daughter, who married Audry de Vere, 
Virgil’s grandfather, and there are no other heirs to 
Bellingham. And, my Lady, you like Virgil?” 

“Oh, my Lord, I do!” 

“I approve your good taste. He is one of the finest 
gentlemen and scholars of the times. His temper is 
singularly sweet, impulses generous, his manner gra- 
cious and easy. It is impossible not to love him, and, 
though possessed of no great wealth, the poor all over 
the country have reason to bless his name. He is 
esteemed and caressed everywhere, and, like the In- 
dian Apollo, is the idol of women’s hearts.” 


$243 'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

CHAPTER XIX. 

THE HUNTING PARTY. 

“Sweet are the paths, O passing sweet; 

By Esk’s pure stream that run, 

O'er airy steep, through copse-wood deep, 
Impervious to the sun.” 

Now approaches the morn set apart for the great 
hunt. From the courtyard, at the first cockcrow, Louis 
sounds the reveille. He was out moving everything 
for an early start. 

In the castle lights were gleaming to and fro at 
the latticed windows, showing the inmates were up 
and preparing for the two days’ journey that would 
take them to Weirwolf Chase. 

“Ambrose, is my Lord about ready for the start?” 
asked Louis. 

“Aye, Mr. Kearney! Aye, sir! Hi think ’e is 
habout ready,” answered the sturdy Ambrose, who 
was bestowing on the great road wagon some portion 
of his master’s luggage. “Hi think, Master Louis, 
you hare in great ’aste this morning to get off ; you’r 
hearly, sir ; hearly !” 

“Forsooth ! Daylight will be streaming over the 
mountains ere we leave the castle gate, man, I 
tell you ! Look you, sir ! See ; ’yon grey lines that 
fret the clouds are messengers of day !” And, raising 
his tasseled hunting-horn to his lips, Louis gave a 
shrill blast. 

“Now the merry huntsmen quit the bower,” and 
hurry forth with clang and clatter. Amid the deafen- 
ing uproar of the yelping hounds, for there were grey- 
hounds, staghounds, foxhounds from the celebrated 
Arundel pack, Harriers and Beagles ; and, amid the 
clamor of the merry huntsmen, the Earl made his ap- 
pearance, in a magnificent hunting-suit, which well 
graced his perfect form, well equipped for the chase. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


241 


After seeing the ladies comfortable in the old royal 
coach — a marvel of luxury, richly gilded, with painted 
panels, drawn by six magnificent horses, he mounted, 
and was soon surrounded by twenty of his followers, 
and rode forth at the head of the procession. As 
they filed through the great castle gates, his bugle 
rang out loud and clear on the morning breeze. By 
his side rode Lord Phantomfell, in laced buff coat, his 
long slender legs incased in broad-topped hunting- 
boots, mounted on a hunter of good qualities, of the 
halfbreed sort, used in those days. Twenty men filed 
after, in blue hunting coats, bearing on the left breast 
the cognizance of Fleetwood; following, came the old 
royal coach, with six mounted attendants, besides the 
pages, who rode close on each side of the coach, while 
shouting, merry men thronged behind. These were 
followed by heavy road wagons loaded with com- 
forts, for they carried with them many luxuries — soft 
bedding, fine tapestry, rich plate and hampers of finest 
wares — then came many attendants — maids and men- 
servants, mounted on horseback. 

Louis, as marshal, dashed up and down the line, 
to see that all was in order. Thus the magnificent 
equipage poured from the castle gates on the main 
road leading to Carlisle, at which place they were to 
be joined by Lord and Lady de Bruce and their 
nieces, with their attendants, making in all a huge 
concourse. 

At night they encamped on the banks of the river, 
not far from the mouth of Esk, and were rewarded 
for stopping there by the grandeur of the scenery. 
The shades of evening came slowly down and wrapped 
the woods in a glimmering light. Cheviot peak, ris- 
ing in the distance, two thousand feet above the sea ; 
the mountains blaze, tinged with the last lingering rays 
of sunbeams ; the scene is illuminated with a crimson 


2.\2 'EARL 'OF FLEETWOOD 

glow, for, as the sun is sinking in splendor away, 
from the dazzling horizon bursts a brilliant flood of 
light over valley, river and hill. And more than this ; 
they had the pleasure of witnessing a salmon hunt — 
an animating scene, unfamiliar to the most of the 
party. 

Some men of the vicinity had gathered in about 
dusk, each carrying a long spear or trident, to hunt 
salmon on horseback. The Earl and several of his 
men were courteously invited to join in this great 
sport. The men dashed in at full gallop, chasing the 
fishes in the shallow water and striking them with the 
barbed spear, which they called a “waster.” Many 
attendants along the banks carried blazing torches, 
which threw a light upon the water, running along 
and brandishing them wildly. The scene was one of 
rare animation. The men in their successes were 
greeted with clamorous applause, the merry shouts 
ringing out over the river. The riders were good 
horsemen, but it required quick movements to capture 
the fish in their own element. Great numbers of 
salmon were thus caught, and by the generosity of 
the spearsmen our campers were well supplied with 
fish for their breakfast. The ladies stood on an emi- 
nence, at a little distance, where the Earl had con- 
siderately placed them, that they might view the sport, 
the bright light from the torches throwing a red glare 
on the romantic scene. 

Next day, after a delightful ride up the river, they 
arrived at the old Saxon tower in Weirwolf chase, in 
early evening, giving plenty of time for the arrange- 
ment of all things for the comfort of the ladies. The 
great old stone tower overhanging the river, almost 
covered with creeping shrubs, was a thing of beauty — 
surrounded by immense trees, huge remnants of the 
Caledonian Forest, which once extended through the 
southern portion of Scotland, from east to west. The 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


^43 


Tower and environments lay in the extensive domains 
of the barony of Weirwolf. Grazing along the river 
were to be seen many of the breed of Scottish cattle, 
described by ancient writers as beautiful in appear- 
ance, being milk white, with black muzzles, horns 
and hoofs, and having flowing white manes. 

4 s *4* 4 s 

CHAPTER XX. 

THE HUNT. 

“Oh merry it was in the gay green-wood, 

Where the goblin and sprite range free : 

Where the kelpie haunted the shadows and flood, 

And the dryad dwelt in the tree.” 

Now Louis was heard, singing out in the early 
morning air: “ ‘Awake, awake! Night’s candles are 
burned out, and jocund day stands tiptoe on the misty 
mountain’s top’ Be up and ready to mount! Hunts- 
men, awake ! Busk ye, boune ye for the chase.” And 
now his sweet-toned bugle rings out, awakening every 
sleeper. 

The ladies, whose sleeping apartments had been 
arranged in the pavilion, hung with drapery, were 
served breakfast, with Lord de Bruce and the Earl, 
in a beautiful bower adjoining, made for the pur- 
pose. 

Breakfast was dainty enough to suit their epicurean 
tastes, composed of fine broiled fish, fresh from the 
adjacent stream, with all manner of small game, which 
had been bagged on the way the day before and care- 
fully dressed for the morning meal. They had white 
loaf bread as well as bannocks, and also the Scottish 
gingie cake. The coffee and tea were pronounced 
fine, for had they not good Mrs. Macleod along to 
see to all this. And when Andrew Bangs, the butler, 


'244 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


brought forth some bottles of delicate red and white 
wines of Napoli di Malvasia, the sort that will “cheer 
but not inebriate/' their breakfast was complete — to 
which their appetites, whetted by two days’ travel, 
did ample justice. Yet to most of them the surround- 
ings were so novel and lovely, they were scarce able 
to hold their minds on the delicious food before 
them. 

’Tis now daylight, and from night’s dark dungeon 
the sun has begun to mount the horizon, sending his 
rays of glory through the dusky earth, causing the 
straggling clouds to flee. Now some far-off halloo 
breaks on the silent air, and up dash, with clang and 
clatter, a company of twenty young men of the best 
families of the Earl’s retainers at Weirwolf, who had 
been invited to join the party at the old hunting tower, 
under the leadership of Hector McNeil. They were 
fine-looking Scots, and wore short breeches, tartan 
hose and low shoes ; with jerkins of plaid, a plaid 
about their shoulders, blue caps, “a handkerchief knit 
with two knots about their necks,” and were well 
armed for the hunt — with hangers, muskets, dirks, 
and some carried the old-time lochaber axe — each 
wearing on his breast, in fine embroidery, the skulking 
weirwolf. 

Captain McNeil was a stout, broad-shouldered Scot, 
with soft brown hair and eyes, dressed pretty much 
as his men, his plaid gracefully adjusted about his 
person, the ends flowing from a brooch fastened on 
the left shoulder. He carried a straight blade, at- 
tached to a baldric ; a dirk on his right side. All 
wore the inevitable spleuchen, covered with fur. They 
were received with much cordiality by the Earl and 
his men. 

Now a magnificent cortege rode forth from the 
hunting tower. The ladies, wearing black silk riding- 
masks for the protection of their complexion — a usage 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


245 


common in those days, the Earl taking the lead, with 
Miss Bruneaugh by his side; the others followed on 
in this fashion: Annie and Guy, Louis and Rosa, 
Kathryn and Rorey, Lord Phantomfell and Flora — 
all mounted on good halfbreeds of great strength and 
endurance. 

Lord de Bruce and Julien kept pace with Lady de 
Bruce and Lady Hawren, who were mounted on gen- 
tle and easy-going palfreys splendidly comparisoned. 
The impatient horses, partaking of the spirit of the 
chase, pranced, curveted and snorted ; then, at a signal 
from the Earl’s bugle, away they dash ! 

Louis and Rosa now appeared as most intimate 
friends. Lord Beenville, who on that Christmas night, 
near a year ago, instead of sleeping, had heard all that 
Louis, in a little heat of temper and somewhat under 
the influence of wine, said of Rosa on that occasion; 
and lost no time next morning in repeating it to her, 
possibly adding much more, on which Rosa was in- 
dignant and pouted for awhile, but as Louis was 
leaving with His Lordship of Fleetwood she assumed 
a kindly spirit and bade him good-bye, comforting 
herself with this thought: “Never mind! I will be 
even with him yet for those uncalled-for remarks, and 
in order to do so, must appear quite friendly with 
him.” 

As for Louis, he had readily forgotten all he held 
against her — his disappointment under the mistletoe, 
the stinging slap she had administered him for his 
impudence. And the more he saw of her the more he 
admired her pretty little ways. Her vivacity was 
charming. He saw, too, that with all her wild freaks 
and hoydenish style, she had proper reserve, never 
transcending the bounds of good breeding. He had 
admitted to Guy that he was smitten with the witching 
creature ; and now, being once more thrown into her 


246 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

pleasant company, he was delighted to be permitted 
to ride beside her in the chase. 

Sportsmen, suitably dressed, followed them. Then 
dashed out the foresters, and rangers in buckskin 
breeches, the pack of yelping hounds and dogs of all 
sorts, held in leash by the many attendants, some on 
foot, others mounted. 

They were to hunt to-day in Eskdale and Liddes- 
dale muirs, south from the old tower. How they en- 
joyed the wild dash over the muir and into the for- 
est ! The leaders were not long in finding signs of 
the game. Presently there was a lively flourish of the! 
French horn. A ranger approached the Earl, full tilt, 
saying : 

“My Lord, a deer has been lodged !” They hasten 
forward and station themselves along the cover, await- 
ing, while the keeper and rangers enter with the ban- 
dog. The impatient staghounds rave and strain 
against the leash ; now a stag is unharbored and 
dashes forth; the dogs are loosed and dash madly 
away after the quarry. How they rave ! No\V all 
rush away, pellmell, and with whoop and yell they 
awake the forest. But after an exciting race the wiley 
quarry eludes his pursuers, and escapes into an ex- 
tensive thicket ; horsemen dash up from every quarter 
and rangers were sent in to dislodge him, which was 
soon done, and away they dash again, with hurrah! 
and tally-ho ! turning this way and that, in an exciting 
chase covering many miles. 

There was much hallooing, blowing of horns, clat- 
tering of hoofs, and screaming, with the yelping of 
the hounds making a deafening uproar, while the 
quarry made desperate efforts to escape from his tor- 
mentors, when, after vainly trying to elude the dogs, 
he found his strength gone and the hounds upon him. 
At his wits’ end, he turned bravely upon his perse- 
cutors, who paused in their hot pursuit. A blast from 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


m 


Louis’ horn announced the stag at bay. A number of 
horsemen were now upon him. The infuriated beast 
dashed madly at his assailants, when Louis, who was 
first to the game, drew a holster and sent a ball into 
its side. Hector McNeil dashed up behind, and ere 
it could change its position dextrously brought it to 
the ground with his long hunting sword. Now the 
Earl arrives upon the scene, accompanied by Lady 
Kathryn and Rosa. The pack rushed in, and, seizing 
their prey, soon put an end to the struggles of their 
victim. Then came in stragglers from all quarters ; 
the dogs were called off. The huntsmen sounded the 
mort, waved their hats, and set up a general shout. 
Others gathered in to see the stag; and, when the 
treble mort was sounded, a general whoop resounded 
over the muir, mingling with the yelling of the hounds, 
causing a terrific uproar. 

Now Louis approached ; and, dropping on his knees, 
offered the Earl the knife for the purpose of making 
the first incision in the breast of the stag to “say the 
deer” — to discover the quality of the venison, which 
courtesy His Lordship declined, saying: 

“You may offer this sylvan compliment to some 
other, Louis ; to one of the fair ones.” 

Louis now turned to Lady Kathryn, and would have 
extended the compliment to her, but she grew pale ; 
and, trembling with manifest aversion, drew back. 
The Earl, observing this, motioned him away, saying : 

“No, no, Louis ; some other, someone more stout- 
hearted !” 

Turning, he saw Hector offering his knife to Rosa. 
She quickly dismounted without assistance, and, seiz- 
ing the knife, rushed up to the stag and, hastily mak- 
ing an incision, sprang back, with a ringing laugh : 

“Ha, ha, ha ! Only see, My Lord,” she said gaily, 
“there’s three fingers o’ fat i’ the brisket!” Hector 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


248 

looked on, charmed beyond measure with the little 
hoyden, who for the first time he had seen. 

“Good for you, Miss Rosa !” cried Louis. “Bravely 
done !” 

“Aha, Mr. Kearney,” she said; “you left me strug- 
gling in the brush and dashed off in the chase ! You’ll 
know it when I go hunting with you again, sir !” She 
stood beside her horse, Louis and Hector both stand- 
ing near. 

“I do most humbly beg your pardon, Miss Rosa ; it 
being the first time I ever accompanied a young lady 
in the chase, that — I own I forgot you.” 

“Oh, worse and worse — thus to be forgotten !” she 
returned. 

“I do assure you I will make it all up by future dili- 
gence.” Then he introduced Hector: “Miss Rosa 
Bruneaugh, Captain McNeil.” 

Hector doffed his cap with a gracious bow. Now 
Guy and Annie came up. 

“Ah, Miss Annie,” said Louis, “I certainly expected 
better of you than that you should lose all the sport, 
getting in only in time to see the dead stag. I had 
expected you to be more prompt on the scene of ac- 
tion.” 

“We had expected to be here in ample time to see 
him defy and, perhaps, whip out the dogs ; but when 
the halloo began this headstrong barb of mine took the 
bits between his teeth and started with me, nolens 
volens; away he went, after the hounds, into cover 
and out again ; and over the moor, carrying me whith- 
ersoever he would ; and paid no more attention to the 
rein than if I had none. And it was all Mr. Brignol 
could do, who had followed in the wake to pick me 
up if I should fall, to come alongside, which he finally 
did, and seized him by the bit with a heavy hand and 
set him back on his haunches so suddenly as to send 
me rolling over his head.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


249 

“Ha, ha, ha!” “Ho, ho, ho!” “He, he, he!” they 
roared. 

“Then, I assure you,” continued Annie, “I was glad 
enough to rest a little. After we heard the mort 
sounded we thought we would come and see who had 
had the temerity to advance upon the foe, to slay him.” 

“ ’Twas I, Miss Hamilton, who did kill him with my 
little pistol!” cried Louis, proudly swinging his hol- 
ster. “I must own, however, Miss Hamilton, that 
Captain McNeil here, whom I take pleasure in intro- 
ducing to you — allow me : Captain McNeil, Miss Ham- 
ilton — gave him the death stroke with his long sword, 
thus robbing me of all the glory.” 

“My Lord,” now asked Rosa, “what have you done 
with my sister, Augusta? I see her nowhere.” 

“True!” cried the Earl, being recalled to his senses. 
He had been sitting there in pleasant conversation 
with Kathryn, forgetful of the existence of Miss Bru- 
neaugh, with whom he had set out on the chase. “In 
the excitement of the chase I missed Miss Augusta; 
and, dashing about in search of her, I found Lady 
Kathryn ; then yourself, Rosa, who had each lost your 
attendants. Guy ! Louis ! Have none of you seen 
Miss Bruneaugh? We must find her.” 

Hector assisted Rosa to her saddle ; Louis, seeing 
she was already mounted, sprang to his saddle, and, 
wheeling his horse beside her, said : “Aye, aye, Miss 
Rosa; I must make amends for past negligence by 
future diligence!” 

“I pray you, Mr. Louis, give yourself no further 
trouble; Captain McNeil will accompany me.” And, 
bowing low to him, she reined up beside Hector, to 
his great delight. Louis turned off with a rueful 
countenance. Has any one seen aught of Flora and 
Laura Phantomfell ?” asked the Earl. No one had 
seen them. 

“Now,” said he, “let us hasten to find the missing 


250 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

ones. My Lord Phantomfell is possibly with the ladies 
and will allow them to suffer no harm. We may find 
them at the rendezvous for the noonday meal." He 
consulted his splendid gold repeater; then, with a 
flourish of his bugle, all were notified of the approach 
of the hour of noon. 

They rode forth, and as they approached the spot 
appointed for the rendezvous, some distance away, 
they could descry two figures seated on a little mound, 
with two caparisoned steeds feeding on the green 
herbage near. The two figures, on nearer approach, 
proved to be no other than Miss Augusta and Lord 
Phantomfell. 

Miss Bruneaugh was gesticulating wildly, while 
Lord Phantomfell appeared to be exerting himself to 
quiet her perturbed spirits. As they drew near, they 
heard him say: 

“Aw, my deah Miss Augustah, shuely no one has 
had the temewity to attempt to abduct you ! It must 
be altogether a chimewa of the bwain ; foh no one 
would daeh to touch you — I would shoot him on the 
spot !" 

Now the others ride up, and, dismounting, approach 
the excited pair. 

“My dear Miss Bruneaugh/' said the Earl, “I am 
glad to find you here in safety. I could not imagine 
what had become of you." 

“No!" she exclaimed excitedly, as she rose and con- 
fronted him. “It appears that no one knew or cared 
where I was or what had become of me ; nor what my 
fate might be!" waving her hands frantically. “Here 
I have been carried away by a lot of brigands ; abso- 
lutely abducted under your very eyes, and no one car- 
ing a fig to rescue me !" Her reproachful glance rested 
on the Earl, as she continued : “And, had it not been 
for the kindness of a noble, great-hearted man, who 
came up and demanded my release — yes, came to my 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


251 


rescue, heavily armed with sword and pistol — de- 
manded my release ; if it had not been for this man's 
magnanimity, his greatness of heart, not one of you 
would have seen me ever again !” And Miss Augusta, 
overcome with emotion, buried her face in her hands 
and burst into tears. 

Rosa ran to her sister and clasped her in her arms ; 
then Kathryn and Annie also came to offer consola- 
tion to their friend. The Earl drew near, saying anx- 
iously: “My dear Miss Bruneaugh, pray explain; 
surely no one in my employ would dare offend you, or 
offer you an indignity. This is a private hunting 
party, on my own grounds, and all the men here are 
in my employ; none other is allowed to enter. You 
have but to mention the name of any who would dare 
offer you an indignity, and he shall be punished as he 
richly deserves/’ And, turning to Lord Phantomfell, 
he continued : “And, my Lord, I am most grateful to 
you, I do assure you, for your promptness in render- 
ing assistance to the young lady, our friend, Miss Bru- 
neaugh. Possibly you can name the offender.” 

“Aw, my Lawd; you laboh under a mistake, I as- 
suweh you ! It was not I who was happily near to 
wender assistance to the deah young lady who we find 
in so much distwess. I only wish I had been ; I would 
have shot the vile assailant on the spot — dam’me — on 
the spot!” 

Now all settled themselves on the greensward, and 
Miss Augusta said, as she raised her tear-stained eyes 
to the Earl’s troubled face : 

“My Lord, I will explain, if I can, this fearful con- 
tretemps. It was all so sudden, and so nearly fright- 
ened me to death that I scarcely remember anything 
distinctly about it. When we started on the chase, 
amid the wild halloo, the dashing of horses, ringing 
of horns, and the yelping of the dogs, there was such 
an uproar that I did not know which way to turn. 


252 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


You then dashed away and left me, my Lord, to my 
fate.” She gave him a withering glance. “I knew I 
could never keep pace with you ; so I drew out into 
an open space near the edge of the forest, thinking to 
rest me a while and watch the huntsmen dashing 
shadowlike among the trees. I was startled by the 
appearance of a man, a long and gorgeous capa draped 
about his slender figure in graceful folds — think of it, 
a cloak at this season ! — who dashed up beside me on 
my left, turning my horse into a cattle path on my 
right. On reaching the cover of the wood, he seized 
my bridle and dashed off with me. I was so terrified 
that I nearly swooned from my saddle ; but he held 
me with one hand, saying in foreign accent : ‘Keep 
your seat, lady; keep your seat. I will take you to 
your friend/ Then he blew a little whistle. But we 
had not gone far when my noble deliverer made his 
appearance. I appealed to him, saying : ‘Save me ; oh, 
save me! I pray, for the love of Heaven, save me!’ 
In my excitement my mask was displaced, my hat fell 
off, my hair rippled down on my shoulders, as you 
now see it,” she said, shaking out her locks of paley- 
gold over her riding basque. “The moment he beheld 
my face he rode up beside me in a most cavalier-like 
manner, and spoke to the man who held my bridle, 
saying, in a low tone of voice : ‘What a mistake, An- 
tonio !’ Then, speaking out clearly, he said : ‘This is a 
terrible mistake !’ And demanded : ‘Let go that bridle, 
sir!’ The other muttered : ‘Meestak? Diable, Signor!’ 
Then the large man — my deliverer — said sternly : 
‘Would you dare apprehend a lady in these grounds?’ 
The other, dropping the bridle, rode off to one side, 
the long-fringed ends of a crimson sash showing 
beneath his riding cloak. The other then said in the 
most gentle manner, as he restored to me my bridle, 
my hat, and my mask: ‘Now, lady, you will turn 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


253 


friends. I will see that you come to no harm.’ And 
as I was pouring out to my deliverer my heartfelt 
thanks I heard the other say : ‘Diable, it is hot !’ And, 
glancing back, as I turned to ride away, I saw him 
throw off the long capa, and he was neatly dressed in 
black velvet, with a crimson sash around his waist.” 

“Louis,” said the Earl, “have you seen any one so 
dressed in the chase?” 

“No, my Lord ; I have not.” 

“And, my Lord,” continued Miss Augusta, “he had 
on a tall hat, going up in a point.” 

“How looked the other man, Miss Bruneaugh?” 
asked Louis. 

“Oh, well enough looked my deliverer!” returned 
she. “He is a large, heavy man, with black whiskers, 
wearing buff coat and leather breeches.” 

“Allow me to assist you, Miss Bruneaugh,” said the 
Earl, as they now rose to go ; “you are doubtless feel- 
ing a little weak and nervous from your fright.” She 
rose, and leaned heavily on his arm as they walked 
slowly on toward the spot which had been designated 
for the noon meal on the greensward. She paused 
now and again, as though almost overcome. They 
could now see the smoke from the wood fires, curling 
through the trees, the steam from the boiling kettles, 
and hear the clangor of preparation, and the hum of 
many voices in converse and laughter, as the busy 
cooks prepared the savory meal. 

In a lovely grove near by they found Lord and Lady 
de Bruce, Lady Hawren and Flora, already here await- 
ing them, with Rorey and Julien, who had soon tired 
of the unaccustomed sport, and were lounging under 
the drooping branches of a great tree. 

The Earl, disposing of Miss Bruneaugh, drew Louis 
and Guy aside, and had a long talk with them relative 
to the story Miss Bruneaugh had told, speculating as 


2 54 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


to what could have been the meaning of the attempted 
abduction of the young lady. 

“Louis,” said the Earl, “keep a sharp vigil for any 
one suiting in any way the descriptions given by Miss 
Bruneaugh, and arrest him on sight. Pick four of 
your best men and bid Hector select an equal number 
of his, and keep them on the alert for those villains.” 

Then he went to accompany the ladies to dinner. 
Louis and Guy stood talking yet a while. 

“I don’t believe a word of it !” said Louis. 

“What! Not believe what the young lady said?” 
exclaimed Guy. 

“Oh, she was doubtless excited ; they may have been 
some of those raw Scots — some of Hector’s men — 
that she ran into, and the rest was all imagined.” 

“But, Louis, the young, dark-looking one in black 
velvet and red sash?” 

“All imagination ! Some Scot in his plaid, no 
doubt,” insisted Louis. 

“You know, Louis, we are not far from the notori- 
ous old Hermitage Castle in Teviotdale, which has 
long been the resort of malignant demons, it is said ; 
and I have more than once noticed in my Lord 
Graeme’s retinue a tall, slender, dark, Italian-looking 
lad ; sometimes in black velvet.” 

“Out upon you, Guy ! Do not you, also, let imagina- 
tion transport you, as it has Miss Augusta. Does not 
Shakespeare say : 

“ ‘Imagination bodies forth the forms of things unseen, 

And gives to airy nothing a local habitation and a name.’” 

“Why, Louis, think you Miss Augusta would have 
said that she has, had there been nothing of this?” 

“Tut, tut, Guy! I perceive you are too credulous; 
altogether so. She evidently did not like it because 
His Lordship left her in the chase and came up with 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


2$$ 

Lady Kathryn. She, maybe, thought to upbraid him 
for his neglect, and also awaken his sympathies, which 
might lead to love, such as she has already awakened 
in the breast of His Lordship of Phantomfell, whom 
we but now saw raving up and down, like an ame 
damme from the River Styx, declaring vengeance 
against the imaginary brigand, vowing to shoot him 
on first sight.” 

'‘Ah, Louis, you are hard on the young lady ” 

“Young! If I were tempted to steal a lady at all 
she would be a young lady, and a pretty one. I do 
not much wonder that they released her on the drop- 
ping of her mask.” 

“And if it were the other, eh, Louis, ’twould be 
different, would it not ?” 

“I should say ! If I were going to elope with one it 
would be the charming little witch who ” 

“Come, Louis; break off! No more of that! And 
you get off on the subject of the little Amazon or we 
will get no dinner to-day. Come, let us to it e’en now. 
The odor from the broiling venison is something deli- 
cious and gives me an appetite.” 

“I do admit, Guy, the aroma from the fine coffee and 
the spiced viands of various kinds does allure the 
taste.” 

“The odor is indeed soothing to the olfactory 
nerves, and a morsel at this juncture would be just as 
grateful to my palate.” 

“Nous allons, done, as the ‘Count’ would say! Let 
us go, then.” 

Walking back to the grove, they passed the place 
where the cooking was still in operation. Alongside 
of a bank was a fire with pots boiling, spits turning, 
and a great variety of food was being served up. 
When they reached the improvised table they found 
the others already in the enjoyment of the delicious 
viands. Miss Augusta had apparently regained her 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


256 

equanimity, and seemed to have forgiven the Earl for 
his momentary neglect ; for now she was receiving his 
polite attentions in a most amiable mood, her face 
wreathed with gracious smiles. 

After dinner they again dashed off into the chase; 
and, when the afternoon was spent in lively pursuit of 
game, returned to the tower, with little or no adven- 
ture. On the following day they were up early, for 
Louis usually sang them a hunts-up, arousing all to 
activity by the first streaks of day. The sport was 
conducted on the east side of the tower with much 
success. But approaching night soon dropped her 
curtain over all. 

4 s *4* 4 s 

CHAPTER XXI. 

MOONLIGHT AT OLD TOWER. 

"The rising of the moon, calm, slow. 

And beautiful, as if she came 
Fresh from the Elysian bowers below. 

Was with a loud and sweet acclaim 
Welcomed from every breezy height, 

Where crowds stood waiting for her light.” 

After laying aside their hunting costumes and lay- 
ing their faces in soft and cooling waters from the 
fountain, the ladies don their soft, filmy demi-toilettes ; 
and, while gentle twilight throws a hazy mantle over 
all, are led forth to a delicious dinner awaiting them 
in the charming cool dining bower. Not long, how- 
ever, did the joyous young people linger at this epi- 
curean feast; for soon they were walking to and fro 
beneath the knotted and gnarled oaks, which still re- 
tained some signs of the reverence paid them by the 
ancient Druids, who ages before had worshipped be- 
neath their spreading bows. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


25 7 


The Earl had sought Kathryn and led her to a 
green, mossy bank, where they sat beside a wimpling 
streamlet. And this is the first moment they have had 
alone since leaving the castle; there has been such a 
throng always — so many around — they had not had a 
moment of private talk; and since his return he had 
not spoken to her of love. And now their young 
hearts sigh, as if this scene of love and beauty were 
oppressive. “Dear cousin/' he said, “have you enjoyed 
the chase to-day ?” 

“Very much, I thank you, my Lord,” she returned, 
with some dignity. 

“This has been a happy day for me, also ; for noth- 
ing affords me more happiness than to see others 
happy.” 

“My Lord, you have made all things so enjoyable 
for us, how could we but be happy!” she said, with a 
deep sigh. He studied her sweet face a moment, then 
asked : 

“Do we sigh when our hearts are buoyant with 
happiness?” 

“My Lord, no ; I do not say that I am now happy,” 
she said sadly. 

“If it were in my power, cousin, I would make you 
happy always.” 

“Thank you, cousin — my Lord. You have already 
rendered me much happiness.” 

“My happiness results from making others happy. 
I may never again realize such happiness as I have 
known — as that of which I have fondly dreamed. I 
believe it is not for mortals to realize perfect or con- 
tinued happiness. I know not why such a deep sad- 
ness should thus, at this time, invade the citadel of my 
heart,” he said, with a long-drawn sigh. Then in 
silence they sat, listening to the murmurings of the 
little stream and the droaning of the cascade at a dis- 
tance. Now they hear the tinkling of Flora’s lute; 


! EARL r 0F FLEETWOOD 


258 

then Annie’s voice rose in sweetest song. The young 
people were seated, at a little distance, on a grassy 
knoll. Kathryn and the Earl listened to the words of 
a sweet, sad ditty, which e’en threw around their 
hearts a deeper sadness. Then Louis sang, Flora ac- 
companying his manly voice with her lute : 

“Woodmen, shepherds, come away, 

This is Pan’s great holiday; 

Throw off cares, with your heaven-aspiring airs, 

Help us to sing, 

While valleys with your echoes ring. 

Nymphs that dwell within these groves, 

Leave your arbours, bring your loves, 

Gather posies, crown your golden hair with roses ; 

As you pass. 

Foot-like fairies on the grass.” 

The melody ceased. Lady Kathryn asked : 

“My Lord, is not to-morrow our last day here?” 

“Yes, my cousin; one more day in the chase, then I 
shall take you to Weirwolf Castle for a week or 
more.” 

“I shall be delighted. I am anxious to see Weir- 
wolf.” 

“Will Your Ladyship permit me to accompany you 
in the chase to-morrow?” 

“Certainly, my cousin, if you wish it,” she said de- 
murely. 

“How I have longed to be with you each day — all 
the time! But courtesy to my invited guests has de- 
manded my attention to them.” 

“Oh, yes, my cousin ; I know — I appreciate the situ- 
ation,” she said, smiling sadly. The notes of the little 
Amazon’s flute floated out softly on the air. The moon 
became shrouded in a long line of black clouds. A 
screech owl, from a clump of hawthorn near, sent 
forth his dismal cry, “then from the thicket broke, and 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 259 

fluttered down the dell.” Afar off, from a furzy fen, 
arose the lonely bark of a solitary fox. 

The Earl, gazing sadly on the dark cloud, said: 

“The sable cloud that floats just above the horizon 
has covered the moon, obscuring its brightness; now 
and then a little light flashes upon it, then as suddenly 
fades away, leaving all in darkness. ’Tis the emblem 
of my life — all gloomy, with now and again a gleam 
of hope to thrill my soul with bliss, but for a moment, 
then is gone, leaving my soul in deeper gloom, 
wrapped in night, turning its darkness on the world 
which it should lighten.” 

“My cousin, you are sad to-night ; I have never be- 
fore seen you gloomy. Have you never seen a sable 
cloud ‘turn forth her silver lining on the night’ ? See ! 
Only behold now your cloud, my Lord !” 

“Ah!” he exclaimed. “Even while I gaze, what a 
glorious light floods the dark cloud with a roseate hue ! 
A heavenly light has transformed the cloud into a 
mountain of gold. Emblem of my life? I will take 
comfort, then. That blessed silver lining bids me 
hope ! Love, thy fadeless ray will never be obscured ! 
Linger thou within the depths of this heart ; thou wilt 
triumph at last.” He spoke as if in a reverie, the im- 
passioned cadence falling soft and low upon her ear. 
The effulgent rays of light now beamed forth ; for the 
moon, escaping from the dark cloud, poured upon 
them a flood of brilliancy. He scanned her fair face, 
now all aglow with color, and thought her a creature 
of consummate loveliness. 

While thus the pensive lovers languish beside the 
wimpling waters, their long-drawn sighs breathing of 
love, the soothing moonlight softening their sorrows, 
Miss Augusta had betaken herself unto a rustic seat 
in the flecking shadow of a large oak, whence she, not 
unfrequently, threw her envious glances upon Lady 
Kathryn, at no great distance away. For the last few 


26o 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


days the Earl had shown her much courtesy, possibly 
wishing to atone for his apparent neglect on the first 
day in the chase, leaving her subjected to the great 
fright which she had undergone, and for which his 
kind heart still upbraided him continually; thus, to 
make amends, he had devoted himself more exclusively 
to her than he otherwise would have done. 

Besides, since his return, Kathryn had seemed to 
shun him, and the past two days she had dashed away, 
with Louis and Rosa one day, and Julien and Rorey 
the next; he did not quite understand it all. “Why 
should she wish to shun him?” • 

When the group of young people, with merry jest 
and laughter, had disposed themselves upon the green- 
sward, Lord Phantomfell approached, and sat beside 
Miss Augusta on the rustic seat beneath the tree, but 
found her in no amiable mood. 

Louis and Rosa talked, laughed and sang together; 
she played for him some merry little jigs on her flute. 
For two days he had been almost constantly in her 
company. She was very gracious, most sweet and 
encouraging in her manner toward him. He perceived 
not how she toyed with him and led him on, and 
knew not that she had set her heart on “getting even 
with him” for his inadvertent speech on Christmas 
night. 

Hector McNeil sat apart, regarding her wistfully, 
observing her every look and movement. She filled 
his eye completely ; never before had he seen any one 
so charming, one who possessed so many graces and 
gifts; her wild nature suited him exactly; her un- 
tamed and undaunted spirit was a good match for his 
own ; and, when at his request she played, with charm- 
ing naivete , “Bonnie Dundee” and “Blue Bonnets Over 
the Border,” his heart throbbed with tumultuous de- 
light while he watched her little fingers, like dainty 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


261 


butterflies, fluttering over the gold and ivory-decked 
flute. Until this evening, his timidity had not per- 
mitted him to approach or speak to her since that first 
day, when she had so promptly and bravely accepted 
the sylvan compliment he had offered her, and had 
chosen to ride with him instead of Louis. 

Now how vain he finds his effort to conceal: 

"The flame that in his bosom lies ; 

His cheek’s confusion tells the tale — 

We read it in his languid eyes! 

And while his words the heart betray, 

His silence speaks even more than they.” 

When the dews of night began to fall and sparkle 
on the herbage, they were admonished to go in. 

The soothing influence of the glowing hour had 
softened the tumult of emotions surging in their 
breasts into a blissful sadness ; and, when the Earl and 
Kathryn rose to join the others, he said: 

“And to-morrow we will ride together all day?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“You will not go away again with Louis and Rosa, 
and leave me as you did the last two days ?” 

“No, my Lord,” she said, looking up bravely into 
his eyes ; “we will mount and away together — you 
were not offended?” 

“No, sweet cousin ; yet I wished so much to be near 
you all the time.” At the main entrance of the ladies' 
pavilion, on parting for the night, he pressed her hand 
and said softly: 

“My love for you is a fadeless ray, which can never 
be obscured.” 

Now all repaired for rest, and soon sank into sweet 
oblivion, after a day of wild chase and delightful mer- 
riment. Little reck they of what may betide them on 
the morrow. 


262 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

CHAPTER XXII. 


THE CONTRETEMPS. 

“Wind the horn, my hunter boy, 

And leave the lute’s inglorious sighs; 

Hunting is the hero’s joy, 

’Till war his nobler game supplies. 

Hark, the hound-bells ringing sweet, 

While hunters shout and woods repeat, 

Hilli-ho! Hilli-ho !” 
***** 

“Three times to-day you have defended me from imminent 
death.” 

****** 

The glen was suffused “with a soft, red glow”; the 
stars were obscured by a flush of rosy splendor. 
Louis’ bugle rang through the dingle and over the 
chase ; then for a hunts-up he sang : 

“Hark! hark, the lark at heaven’s gate sings, 

And Phoebus ’gins to rise, 

His steeds to water at those springs 
On chaliced flowers that lies; 

And winking mary-buds begin 
To ope their golden eyes; 

With everything that pretty bin ; 

My lady sweet, arise ; 

Arise, arise!” 

All was now bustle and preparation for an early 
start. Lady Kathryn bounded forth in a lovely sylvan 
riding dress, and was soon mounted on her milk-white 
steed, in beautiful trappings of purple, blazoned with 
gold. The Earl, in a charming hunting suit of Lincoln- 
green, mounted his black hunter and reined up beside 
her. They smiled on each other, as if all their sadness 
and dark forebodings had been dispelled by a night of 
refreshing slumber. The Earl’s bugle rang out 
sweetly, with a clear and lively flourish, on the crisp 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


263 

morning air. He and Kathryn take the lead, Lord 
Phantomfell accompanying Miss Hamilton ; Guy and 
Miss Bruneaugh, Flora and Rorey, Rosa and Julien 
follow. Louis, finding himself de trop, dashed off, 
singing merrily : 

“ ‘For all our men were verry verry merry, 

And all our men were drinking; 

There were two men of mine, and three men of thine, 

And three that belonged to Thom O’Lyne, 

As they went to the ferry, 

They were verry verry merry — ’ ” 

The sprightly hunters dash merrily away. After a 
glorious ride of four miles up the river, the Earl and 
Kathryn station themselves where they have a good 
view, beside a little streamlet, wimpling in and out 
among the hills, like threads of silver. The mists were 
now lifting, and dewdrops, like diamonds, glisten on 
the leaves and downs, and hang “a pearl in every cow- 
slip’s ear.” Here and there were clumps of coppice 
and wild rose vines. How fresh and clear was the 
morning air! A lovely scene lay spread out before 
them : the morning sun flooding river, forest and fell 
with a beauty and grandeur seldom equaled ; while in 
the east lay the Cheviots, bathed in a sea of azure. 

Ambrose stood near them, with a leash of fine stag 
hounds straining impatiently to be let upon the game. 
Rangers were beating the thicket. The scene was so 
lovely Kathryn cried out with rapture : 

“Oh, how lovely! My Lord, you have reserved the 
finest field for the last day ; and how charming !” As 
she spoke a red deer bounded from the coppice near 
and scudded away over the plain. 

“Slip leash, Ambrose, and let them go!” cried the 
Earl. As Ambrose slipped the dogs bounded forward. 
Ambrose, delighted, cried out: “Ow they spring 
haway has soon has leash his slipped! Honly see 


264 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


them ! Behold Cato now ! ’E could heasy pull doon 
the best of deer! Ow true 'e his! Methinks there 
never flew ha ’ound more true nor fleet hof foot. 
Neither his Caesar hand Tony far behind ’im. ’Ow 
they dash!” 

Now there was a lively chorus, a mingling of shouts, 
cheering and halloos, with the impatient yelping of 
hounds, repeated bursts from the French horn for the 
encouragement and direction of the dogs ; figures flit- 
ted among the trees and dashed with the speed of a 
whirlwind over the downs ; confusion reigns supreme. 
In the midst of the ringing of bugles, the huntsmen's 
cries, the clang of hoofs and the baying of the loud- 
mouthed pack, there was suddenly the flourish of a 
horn, announcing a stag at bay. Huntsmen dash up 
with wild enthusiasm and determination. The stag 
turns furiously upon them. 

‘'Hurrah! Hurrah!” they yell. 

"Onto him ! Assail him ! Assail him !” they cry. 

"Go roundly onto him, men!” 

But the huntsmen, with all this encouragement, 
stand aloof, fearing too near an approach to the now 
infuriated and dangerous foe ; watching for an oppor- 
tunity for striking him without coming in contact 
with his poisonous horns or hoofs ; remembering the 
old woodsmen's rhyme : "If thou be hurt with horn or 
hoof, it brings thee to thy bier.” Ashton Riggles, one 
of Hector’s men, sprang dextrously from his horse, 
and, dashing suddenly onto him, brought him to the 
ground with a stroke of his stout hunting knife ; the 
dogs throttle their victim, and soon end his struggles. 
Then rose a deafening clamor, whooping and blowing 
of horns. And while Lord de Bruce tested the quality 
of the venison, the Earl, who had kept well up with 
the hounds, turned to seek Lady Kathryn ; and, dis- 
cerning her white steed on a mound at a distance, he 
soon reached her side. He knew that she timidly 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


265 

shrank from beholding the death struggle of the deer. 

Now the bugle announced the time for the noon 
gathering, and they rode slowly on to the place where 
luncheon was served. After which the Earl stood with 
folded arms beneath an ancient oak, proudly viewing 
the happy scene ; for the party, with careless ease, had 
disposed themselves upon the green in merry groups 
here and there. At a little distance away the happy 
attendants were enjoying a bountiful repast in much 
hilarity, with aquevite and usquebah. 

"A wealth of elm and poplar shook o’er head ; 

Hardby, a sacred spring flowed gurgling on 
From the Nymphs’ grot, and in the somber boughs 
The sweet cicada chirped laboriously. 

Hid in the thick thorn-bushes far away 

The tree frog’s note was heard; the crested lark 

Sang with the goldfinch; turtles made their moan; 

And o’er the fountain hung the gilded bee.” 

Here and there against a knotted oak in idleness 
hang the huntsmen’s arms. Guy stood beside His 
Lordship, talking: 

“Aye, my Lord, you know we rode together in the 
chase to-day ; and I was joking her some about Lord 
Phantomfeirs assiduous attentions, when she said: ‘I 
am done with Lord Phantomfell ; and told him so last 
night !’ ” 

“What !” exclaimed the Earl. “Refused Lord Phan- 
tomfell ?” 

“She said so ; and further said : 'Mr. Brignol, my 
heart is set on one infinitely more superb and grand! 
I am looking higher yet than to Lord Phantomfell/ 

To whom, my Lord, do you sup ” Guy broke off 

suddenly, as Louis, who had just dashed up and dis- 
mounted, approached them, his face expressive of 
some important communication. 

“What is it, Louis; why are you not with the 
ladies?” asked the Earl. 


266 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Insomuch, Louis, as you have gotten to be quite a 
ladies’ man of late,” said Guy. 

“Aye, Guy, I love the ladies surely; but— my 
Lord ” 

“What has happened to so flurry you, Louis?” asked 
His Lordship. 

“Methinks, my Lord, I have seen the men described 
by Miss Augusta!” 

“Truly!” 

“Aye, truly, my Lord. A short time ago, while 
dashing at breakneck speed after the game, in passing 
a clump of copsewood, I perceived two figures, in- 
tently gazing on the scene below ; they were not of 
our party, and were just as described by Miss Bru- 
neaugh. A heavyset man, heavily armed, wearing 
whiskers, and a slender youth in black velvet and red 
sash, with a light cloak flowing from his shoulders. 
As soon as possible I checked my speed, and, turning, 
dashed for the place ; but found no one — they had dis- 
appeared.” 

“Think you, Louis, this is not all imagination?” 
queried Guy. 

“There is no imagination in the case ; I saw the two 
just as she has described them,” returned Louis per- 
emptorily. 

“Well, Louis, take your picked men, and watch for 
them this afternoon. Station yourselves where you 
will observe them if they venture in again, and dis- 
cover, if you can, why they are prying around. It may 
be that Gaston and some of his minions are prowling 
about.” 

“Aye, my Lord ; I had thought of that. You know 
that the Old Hermitage lies in the distance across yon 
mountain. We can see the towers and spires of the 
old castle ; and you know the reputation of its inhab- 
itants,” said Guy. 

“Keep a good watch, Louis ; be on your guard. We 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 267 

will have just one more little dash with the hounds ere 
we return to the tower ; then on to-morrow we will set 
out for Weirwolf.” 

Mounting, they started off in an easterly direction, 
and were soon again in the midst of the chase. The 
woods ring with the wild halloos, as they follow the 
hounds through the gay greenwoods and dingles of 
Weirwolf chase. The startled quarry, darting hither 
and yonder, seeking cover, then starting again; the 
gallant greyhounds straining after. The Earl, yield- 
ing for a moment to the wild fascination, follows in 
pursuit ; then, missing Lady Kathryn from his side, 
stops short; but, recognizing her green habit and 
snowy plumes in the distance, he turns his horse about. 
She had checked up, and sat her horse in a clearing on 
a slight eminence, where she could have a good view 
of the chase without following, as she was a little 
tired ; and, wishing not to behold the death of the poor 
victim, would await here the return of the Earl. She 
listened to the flourish of the horns, the cheering of 
the men in the forest, and to the deep baying of the 
hounds ; then fell into a brown study, from which she 
was suddenly awakened by the rustling of the bushes 
near by, and a chasseur dashed boldly from the thicket 
and reined up by her side, saying : 

‘‘Fine sport to-day, my lady.” 

So astounded was she at his audacity that she 
dropped from her nerveless hand the rein upon the 
neck of her horse. 

The man seized the bridle, saying: “Keep your 
seat carefully, my lady,” and dashed away with her at 
great speed. 

Terrified beyond measure, she uttered a shriek that 
rang out through the forest. 

The Earl was also somewhat tired of the chase, 
and as he turned him about thought what a pleasure 
it would give him to join her, and how happy they 


268 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


would be, riding slowly along back to the tower to- 
gether. '‘I must know my fate! I feel assured of her 
love, and should be happy ; but am not. Why does she 
at times shun my company, and appear so cold and 
distant ? Why was she so overcome when I asked her 
to be mine? Why was her emotion so great as to 
cause her to fall into a deathlike swoon? Can it be 
that she had promised her hand to Gaston ere I came ? 
She must explain. How I long to have her near me 
always ; am never content to have her out of my sight.” 
At this thought he dashed across a ravine and plunged 
through an intervening thicket. On coming out on 
the opposite side into an opening, he heard a shriek 
that froze the blood in his veins. Now reaching a 
high point, he had a glimpse of two figures disappear- 
ing among the trees beyond the place where he had 
seen Lady Kathryn. He instantly recognized her 
snowy plumes, also took in at a glance the pointed hat 
and crimson sash of the Italian by her side. And now 
he saw Kibbie, who was ever in her wake, dashing 
wildly down the slope toward the huntsmen. 

Blowing a shrill blast as a signal of distress, the 
Earl dashed forward with utmost speed, and soon 
again caught sight of the red sash streaming in the 
wind. Again he sees them more clearly in the open 
glen ; and hears the Italian’s signal for his assistants. 

Louis, who had heard His Lordship’s signal ®f dis- 
tress, turned instantly, and, calling to his four chosen 
men to follow, started wildly in the direction whence 
he had heard the signal, and would have taken the 
wrong course but for seeing Kibbie, who, pointing 
toward the spot and waving his hat frantically, cried : 

“Help! Oh, help! My Lady Kathryn is in dan- 
ger !” And, seeing the Earl disappearing in the dis- 
tance down a by-path, changed his course and went in 
pursuit, followed by Kibbie, Hector McNeil and a 
number of his chasseurs; and, dashing into the open 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


269 

glen, Louis could see the parties — Kathryn and the 
Italian, with the Earl in pursuit. Now he hears His 
Lordship cry out : “Yield, ruffian ; yield, or I fire !” 

The Italian turned in his saddle; and, seeing the 
Earl so close on him and a goodly number approach- 
ing at his back, drew a holster. Louis saw it gleam in 
the sunlight, and screamed : 

“Shoot, my Lord ; shoot !” Simultaneously two re- 
ports rang out on the air; a ball whizzed over the 
Earl’s head ; the Italian’s arm dangled, limp and help- 
less, by his side. Another report rang out from a 
clump of hawthorns. The Italian, seeing the posse 
upon him, and being no longer able to lead Kathryn’s 
horse, turned to the right and disappeared. The Earl 
reached Kathryn’s side, then reeled and feel from his 
horse. 

Louis cried: “After him, Hector! After him, my 
men ! Let him not escape ! Five thousand pounds for 
his head ; while I look after my Lord and Lady Kath- 
ryn.” 

Kathryn, white with terror, was swaying, ready to 
fall, when Louis caught her in his strong arms and 
lifted her from her saddle. Her head dropped upon 
his shoulders. He placed her almost senseless on the 
ground beside the Earl, to whom he then turned his 
attention. 

His Lordship was conscious, but bleeding profusely, 
and asked anxiously: 

“Where is she, Louis? Oh, where is she?” 

“Here, my Lord, by your side ; but she has fainted.” 

“Has she Oh, Louis, has she sustained any in- 

jury ?” 

“No, no ; only fainted, my Lord ! Let me stop this 
flow of blood; surely you are not badly hurt!” But 
His Lordship did not reply; his lips grew white, and 
he swooned from loss of blood. 

Now Kathryn drew a deep breath, opened her eyes, 


WARE r 0P TLEETWmV 


E270 

and, looking about, saw Louis on his knees beside the 
OEarl ; and, raising herself to a sitting posture, cried 
but, with unutterable anguish : 

“Is he dead? Oh, Louis, is he dead?” 

Louis hastened to assure her that he had only 
swooned. Then ran to his horse, and from a saddle 
pocket drew forth a little flask of wine and pressed 
her to take a little, lest at the sight of blood she might 
swoon ; he needed her assistance, he said, and she must 
brave up so as to help him. Seeing that she might 
render him assistance, she took it. “Now, my Lady, 
sit by him till I run to yonder spring and fetch a little 
water.” With a strong self-control she opened his 
doublet at the throat, unbuttoned his collar-band, 
stroked his brow and face with her soft, warm hand, 
then took his inert hand in her own. 

He sighed deeply, and, opening his eyes, looked up 
in her face and asked : 

“Oh, my cousin, are you safe?” 

“My Lord !” she cried, caressing the hand she 

clasped. “Perfectly safe ; but you Oh, my Lord, 

you are wounded !” 

Louis returned with a cup, which he had taken from 
his saddle, brimming with water. They attempted to 
give him some ; and, making an effort to raise himself, 
he again swooned from excessive pain ; upon which 
Kathryn fell into a deathlike swoon also. 

Poor Louis knew not what to do, when some of the 
Weirwolf chasseurs arrived. 

“Curlie,” he cried to one of them, with fair hair in 
long curls, “will you hasten immediately for a physi- 
cian? My Lord, I fear, is badly wounded. Is there 
not one to be found at the village? Is there one nearer 
than Lochaber?” 

“Oh, sure, Master Louis ; you must forget ‘Uncle' 
Reuben that lives here, not far off, in his own little 
den. You ken he's a man gifted in surgery ; there’s 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


271 

na need to send to Lochaber, nor ta the village 
neither.” 

“True, true, Curlie; ‘Uncle’ Reuben can be de- 
pended upon. Dash off now, Curlie, and fetch him 
straightway!” cried Louis anxiously. 

“It’s true I’ll be doing that thing.” And Curlie 
dashed away with the speed of the wind. Now the 
ladies came up, followed by a crowd, pell-mell. All 
was in commotion, and there was a wild scene. 

Lady Hawren, herself almost swooning from fright, 
ran to Louis’ assistance. Annie and Guy came and 
took charge of Kathryn, bathing her face with cooling 
water. Guy despatched Andy McGraw for the coach- 
and-six to convey the Earl to Weirwolf Castle, which 
was nearer to them where they now were than back 
to the tower, where he might have more comfortable 
quarters and better care. 

One of Hector’s men was sent on to notify Mr. 
Kitchner, who was in charge at Weirwolf, of the acci- 
dent, and inform him that the party would soon ar- 
rive at that place. 

Curlie soon returned with “Uncle” Reuben, who, he 
said, he had found walking in the wood, not far from 
them. The surgeon of Weirwolf chase was a peculiar 
man, yet had a good countenance and a kind disposi- 
tion. Disappointment of some kind, it was said, had 
caused him to withdraw from his fellowmen, and to 
take up his abode in a little cottage in the chase, where 
he had resided alone for a number of years, attending 
gratuitously on those who needed his assistance. He 
knew and loved the Earl well, for it was through his 
bounty that he enjoyed the small home he had in the 
chase, and was greatly shocked on finding him so seri- 
ously wounded. He at once set about giving him im- 
mediate relief, and said instead of going back to the 
tower they would better convey him to the castle, only 
four miles away, where he himself might be with His 


2J2 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Lordship all the time, as he was badly wounded, and 
the sooner they could get him to the castle the better 
it would be for him. 

On their arrival at the castle the Earl was placed in 
his own luxuriously furnished bedroom of the suite on 
the first floor, just across the great hall from the li- 
brary. The crimson curtains were flung aside to ad- 
mit the fresh air. The four-mile drive had been very 
fatiguing on him. The wound, on closer examination, 
proved to be not so serious as had at first been feared ; 
only a pistol shot wound through the flesh of the shoul- 
der, splintering the edge of the shoulder-blade. His 
nervous system had received a great shock; and he 
was weak and faint from loss of blood, though the old 
surgeon had done his duty admirably; and when the 
wound had been carefully dressed he assured the 
Earl’s friends and the menials that thronged the hall, 
all wishing to lend assistance, that the wound was in 
good condition and would soon be healing. 

Alexander Kitchner, castellain, Hector’s brother-in- 
law, who lived here with his wife and Hector’s mother 
and two younger sisters, had all things in readiness 
for their reception, and was expecting them next day, 
but was not the least put out by their arrival one night 
earlier than he had expected them. 

The surroundings at Weirwolf were now in superb 
style. Mr. Kitchner kept a steward, with a fine corps 
of attendants and servants for every place ; every de- 
partment was filled to perfection and kept in fine order. 
In the grounds the hedges were trimmed, the lawns 
mowed, ornamental trees and shrubs trained to perfec- 
tion ; terraces, parterres, garden — all rejoicing in the 
luxury of late blooming flowers and fine foliage. 

How the ladies would have enjoyed a visit to this 
delightful old place, had it not been for the sad occur- 
rence of this afternoon ! As it was, they were all sad. 
Kathryn was quite ill; the shock on her nerves had 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


V 3 


been so great that for a long time she lay in a syncopal 
condition, and was even now in a state of prostration. 

Next morning the Earl was found to be quite fever- 
ish and delirious. Lady Hawren had sat by him all 
night, with Louis and Guy. And now Lord and Lady 
de Bruce came to relieve the night watchers, and took 
their places by his side, administering all the comfort 
possible; but he cried out continually in his delirium: 

“I must go to her rescue! Oh, do not detain me! 
Let me go !” 

They would rouse him and assure him of her safety ; 
then he would smile and say: “Yes, yes; I know it !” 
Then would drop off again and rave for her, crying: 
“Where is she? Oh, if she were only here!” Then 
would he moan piteously. The physician now being 
present, asked who it was whom His Lordship so 
constantly asked for in his ravings. On being told it 
was the lady whom he had rescued, he asked : 

“Is not she able to come and sit by him, and thus 
quiet him? He is very restless, and has been so 
throughout the night. I fear the consequence. If we 
could only get him to understand that she is here and 
safe he might rest easier. Surely she will not refuse 
to come and sit beside him, and thus assure him by 
her presence that she is safe.” 

“Oh, certainly, Doctor ; she will come if she is able ! 
1 will see her,” said Lady Hawren. 

“Then, my Lady, you need rest; you have attended 
him faithfully through the whole night without rest. 
Surely you will now retire for a while.” 

“I cannot rest while in so much anxiety, but will 
fetch Kathryn if she is able to come.” 

“We will remain beside him, Lady Hawren ; do try 
to get a little rest. You will be ill,” said Lady de 
Bruce kindly. 

Lady Hawren soon returned with Kathryn, who 
was pale, and almost swooned on beholding him 


$>74 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


flushed with fever, tossing and moaning and calling 
wildly for her. She sank into a chair which the doctor 
placed for her by the bedside. Lady de Bruce was 
bathing his face with a cooling lotion. The doctor had 
a little talk with Kathryn, and she promised him she 
would remain beside the Earl if her mother would go 
and get a much-needed rest, which Lady Hawren con- 
sented to do. The doctor now also left the apartment. 

The Earl tossed and moaned, and presently cried 
out : 

“Where is she ? I must go ! Let me go !” 

Lord de Bruce, who held his hand, said: “My 
Lord, do not worry ; she is here by your side.” 

But he still cried : “Oh, if she were only here ; they 
have carried her away ! I must — I must go !” he cried 
wildly. 

“I am here,” said Kathryn, taking his hand in both 
of hers and weeping tears upon it. On hearing her 
voice, he opened his eyes, and, looking up into her 
face, said : 

“Oh, Kate, I am so glad you are here ! I could not 
live without you !” He pressed her hand to his burn- 
ing lips, closed his eyes, and sank into a peaceful slum- 
ber, no longer tortured by the thought that she had 
been carried away from him. She still held his hand 
in hers, and was rejoiced to behold his peaceful sleep ; 
for they told her this was the first quiet he had en- 
joyed. After an hour of refreshing sleep he roused 
in apparent distress, and said: “Where is she now?” 

“Here, my Lord ; beside you. Is there anything you 
wish for?” 

He pressed her hand and answered : “Nothing, 
nothing! I am so happy!” 

She moistened his lips with rose water, and thus, 
with sweet solicitude, she hovered over him for five 
days, while his fever lasted, bathing his hands with 
cooling waters, and fanning him with an Argus pheas- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


^75 


ant’s wing, which choice fan had been presented to her 
while in Paris by her mother’s uncle, Count Dubois* 
Raymond, who had brought it from India on his last 
trip to that country. Louis and Guy kept watch over 
him at night. Owing to the prompt and correct treat- 
ment he had received at the outset from the old sur- 
geon, and the cheering presence of the one he loved, 
His Lordship improved rapidly. 

On the second day, while his fever had for a time 
abated, he had asked of Louis, who sat with Kathryn 
beside him : 

“Louis, what of the villains?” 

“My Lord, I sent Hector with five men after them ; 
but much to his mortification he returned without cap- 
turing any one ; himself with a sabre-thrust in the arm, 
and two of his men badly wounded.” 

“They came in close contact, then?” 

“Not with the Italian, my Lord ; there were others.” 

“Fetch Hector in, Louis, if he is able to come.” 

The fine-looking Scot soon made his appearance, his 
arm in a plaid swung from his neck. 

“Well, Hector?” said the Earl, as they clasped 
hands. 

“Oh, my Laird, it grieves me sair to see Your Lord- 
ship sae badly wounded !” 

“It is pretty bad Hactor; but how is it with yourself, 
my boy?” 

“Hout, hout ! Nothing to speak o’, my Laird ; only 
a scart ! It hurts me waur to think I should no ha’ 
beene able to ding the buckie into a dead-thraw. The 
loopie cateran ! To think that he sould try to fetch 
away the douce Leddie ; God sain her !” he said, glanc- 
ing at Kathryn, who on his entrance had risen and now 
stood with Rosa near the door by which he had en- 
tered. 

“Who else, Hector, were hurt?” 

“Fitz-Allan, my Laird, was clappit i’ the spule- 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


276 

blade, much as was Your Lordship, sir; i’ the back- 
spaul, sir; and Ashton Riggles was dinged i’ the 
hough. We never came uppe wi’ the brigand, sir ; he 
went skelping off wi’ his arm dangling. There were 
two other of the caterans, my Laird. The ane wha’ 
sent the ball skelping through Your Lordship’s spule- 
blade stood i’ the copse, on Your Lordship’s right, 
wearing a black mask, sich as the leddies wear i’ the 
chase. I dashit onto him and gave him a scart i’ the 
cheek-happit that took the mask off him and sent the 
sonsy chiel, wi’ a skellock, skelping through the cops- 
wood, Your Lordship.” 

‘‘How looked he, Hector?” asked the Earl anxiously. 

“Genteel, my Laird ; dark, not large ; medium, 
heavyset, rather, wi’ black hair, which fell in long 
curls when the mask dropped off ; handsome mous- 
tache, braw, spawky, well mounted ; he dashit off at a 
braw gate. The ither ane was a heavyset villain, wi’ 
buff coat beltit doon, wi’ broadsword and pistols, and 
looked like the de’ii’s own buckie — begging Your 
Lordship’s pardon. Fitz-Allan dashit on him, wi’ 
great pluck, and gied him a snell-shot that gard the 
swankie gang i’ the same gate o’ the ither rampaging 
villain. By my certies he will no be wanting, sune, to 
make sic a nither cantrip, the land-louper! We went 
in pursuit, my Laird, and would na ha’ come back 
empty-handed, neither, but ran into an ambush ; the 
brush was alive wi’ the caterans. I received a sword- 
thrust ere I knew anything. Fitz-Allan and Riggles 
both were wountit. I called off, and we came back. 
It was no use fighting such odds i’ the brush.” 

“No, Hector; you did well — you could do no more. 
How are Fitz and Riggles faring?” 

“Doing well, my Laird ; resting easy.” 

“Have the surgeon do all he can, Hector, for the 
poor fellows.” 

“I will, my Laird ; thank you.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


277 

On leaving the room, as Hector was passing Kath- 
ryn and Rosa near the door, they advanced ; and Kath- 
ryn, seizing his hand, said : 

“Oh, Captain McNeil, allow me to thank you for 
your promptness! You saved me — you saved my 
Lord’s life ! I will never forget your bravery — never 
forget you ; never ! Are you sure you struck the one 
who shot my Lord Clifton ?” 

“Quite sure, my Lady ; I saw plainly the smoke 
from the muzzle of his pistol as I rushed upon him 
and gave him a slash i’ the cheek that will disfigure his 
handsome face for the balance o’ his life ; the blood ran 
in a stream doon his braw clase, as he dashed into 
the thicket.” 

“Oh, Captain McNeil, ever look upon me as your 
true friend ! By your promptness you have saved me!” 
She pressed his hand cordially. 

Then Rosa seized upon the hand of the bashful 
young man, saying: 

“Allow me, also, Captain McNeil, to thank you for 
your bravery in defending my friends ; for the villains 
are the very same who a few days ago would have 
taken my sister away. I would I had been wi’ ye ; I’d 
ha’ scart him i’ the other cheek-happit, and gied him 
somewhat to skellock for,” she said, using the Scotch 
dialect ; and continued : 

“I will never forget you, Captain McNeil, nor your 
valorous attack on the enemy.” 

Hector bowed low and said : “I deserve no thanks, 
leddies; I would I could ha’ done something more 
deserving o’ your gratitude.” 

Soon the Earl was enough better to be led into the 
great hall, where from a comfortable sofa he could 
have a pleasant view from the doorway, and where he 
was surrounded by all the gay young people, and grew 
better day by day; yet he required Kathryn to sit by 
him and charm away the hours, waving over him the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


278 

Argus pheasant’s wing, and now and then bathe his 
face with sweet, cooling lotions. 

“My Lord,” said Kathryn, at the close of a long day, 
“Annie will take the fan now and sit here beside you, 
while I shall go and dress for dinner.” 

“You will not be long gone?” he asked appealingly, 
holding her by the hand with both of his. 

“No, my Lord,” she said softly, her face, of late so 
pallid, suffused with a charming color, as she glided 
noiselessly from the hall. 

Annie, taking the fan, sat down and said smilingly : 

“My Lord, I fear you are practising deception.” 

“Miss Hamilton!” 

“Yes, sir; you are certainly able now to dispense 
with so very much attention. I perceive you are able 
to use your right hand readily, without wincing.” 

“How, now, Miss Annie! What mean you?” 

“Oh, I saw you but now using your right hand 
deftly; you are imposing on the dearest girl in the 
world, keeping her cooped up here by your side day by 
day, while the rest of us are enjoying delightful rides 
and rambles. Besides, my Lord, you should now be 
getting out some yourself.” 

“Pray, Miss Annie, am I deceiving any one?” 

“Not even the ‘dearest girl in the world.’ ” 

“Then what harm am I doing if no one is de- 
ceived? Annie, this is a new sensation to me, and 
so very enjoyable ; I do not see how I shall ever get 
out again. Only consider ! I never before had a lady 
attend me in illness ; it robs suffering of all its terrors 
thus to be attended.” 

“Come, enough of this ; you look pale, and need the 
gentle warmth of the setting sun yourself. I will take 
you outside. Let me help you to rise. We will prom- 
enade a while in the lovely court ; you need the exer- 
cise.” She took his hand, and carefully he rose ; then, 
leaning on her arm, they walked slowly down the hall. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


279 

then out into the courtyard. And as they walked she 
said : 

“My Lord, have you observed how pale and thin 
Kathryn has grown, being shut in here for the past 
week, without outdoor exercise?” 

“Oh, Annie, have I been so thoughtless — so selfish, 
and have kept her too closely confined inside with me ? 
Is she looking thin and ill?” 

“Do not accuse yourself, my Lord. No, it is not 
that. The fright she received was too much for her 
nervous system — the sight of the Italian, whom she 
recognized at once as the person described by Miss 
Augusta — and then seeing Your Lordship shot down 
by her side ; it was very trying. Louis says she thought 
you dead, and it was some time ere he could convince 
her to the contrary. She swooned several times, and 
lay unconscious for hours ; next morning when in 
your delirium you called repeatedly for her, and when 
the doctor sent a request for her to come she rose from 
her bed, scarcely able to walk. Yet, previous to that 
event, I noticed that she had been growing more and 
more delicate; she is no longer plump and rosy, as 
formerly; and a deep sadness seems to prevail over 
her at all times. My Lord, how glad she will be to 
find you here, and know that you are able to get out 
for a little walk and a breath of the evening air ! And 
I trust Your Lordship will suffer no inconvenience 
from walking in the court. Ah, here she comes now! 
How delighted she is to find you outside! See her 
smile of approval as she flies toward us !” 

Kathryn, on her return, charmingly dressed for 
dinner, was much pleased to find the Earl walking out 
with Annie; she joined them, and they led him into 
the dining room, instead of having his dinner sent him 
on a tray, as heretofore. 


28 o 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD, 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

LOVE CONFESSED. 

“Oh, tell me, brightly gleaming eye. 

Whence in your little orbits lie 
So many traits of fire, 

Expressing each a new desire; 

Now, with pride or scorn you darkle, 

Now, with love, with gladness sparkle, 

While we, who view the varying mirror. 

Feel, by turns, both hope and terror.” 

Next day the Earl took more exercise, walking 
from room to room. Annie had even coaxed him into 
the garden for a while ; now he was tired out, and lay 
on a lounge in the cool drawing-room. Kathryn sat 
near, gently swaying the fan over him. She adjusted 
the pillows about his head. He closed his eyes, and 
she left him sweetly sleeping. She stepped into the 
sumptuous library, and stood for a while in deep medi- 
tation in the embrasure of a French window, gazing 
out on the happy scene below, where boys and girls 
were romping merrily in the long shadows of the great 
building. The ladies were sitting on the grass-green 
terrace, watching the game. Rosa and Lord Phan- 
tomfell were walking in and out among the shrubbery, 
for since the moonlight nights at the Old Tower His 
Lordship appeared to have transferred his affections 
from Miss Augusta to her hoidenish sister. And when 
accosted by Louis as to what his intentions were, said : 

“I weally have not yet decided which one I will 
take, Mr. Kearney ; Miss Augustah is wery much to 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


28 1 

my taste, yet the little witch is so chawming. Weally, 

I cannot — it is just hawd for me to decide.” 

To which Louis had returned: “Beyond a doubt, 
my Lord, this matter will be decided for you. Give 
yourself no further trouble on that score.” 

In a profound reverie Kathryn stood ; then, hearing 
a gentle footfall, she turned quickly, and found the 
Earl beside her. 

“My Lord, I thought you were soundly sleeping,” 
she said, with a start. 

“Thank you, I have enjoyed a most refreshing nap, 
and a delicious dream.” And he looked with pleasure 
on the animated scene below. 

“But now I am in distress ; the doctor has told me 
that I no longer require his attention, or that of a 
nurse.” 

“Oh, my Lord, I am truly glad that you feel so well 
— are restored to health,” she said, with a glance into 
his glorious eyes. She loved him better than life and 
felt that she could never repay the generous gallantry 
that had saved her from the horror of falling into the 
hands of a villain whom she had cause to fear. The 
miserable stories she had h^rd and the promise she 
had made did not now recur to her mind ; she was just 
happy in his presence, that was all. The Earl went on : 

“And now must I again be separated from you, from 
one who has been the source of such sweet happiness 
and comfort to me in my illness — the gentlest and most 
tender nurse man ever had? Oh, Kate, I could not 
have lived through it all but for thy gentle hand upon 
my brow, soothing away the burning fever that was 
consuming me and causing me to rave in delirium !” he 
said, taking her hand. “What a fair and ministering 
angel art thou, my Kate!” He pressed her unresist- 
ing hand to his lips. 

“Oh, my Lord, my generous preserver, my deliv- 
erer! I owe you all! You have saved me from a 


282 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

dangerous enemy, risking your life in the attempt. 
What would I not do for one who has displayed so 
much gallant generosity! I am doubly repaid for all 
by seeing you your own strong self again. You have 
saved me from an awful fate, and my gratitude knows 
no bounds ” 

“Gratitude, Kate, is not what I want. You already 
know that I love you with all the fervor of my nature 
— love profound and inexpressible. Idol of my heart, 
I want your love ! Can you — do you love me ?” En- 
circling her with his arm, he drew her unresistingly 
against his breast; her face lay against his, as she 
gently murmured : 

“Yes ! Oh, yes, I do ! I do !” In an ecstasy of bliss 
he kissed her face and lips. But as she pronounced 
the words, admitting her love, the remembrance of 
what her grandfather had told her, and the promise 
she had made, rushed upon her mind with redoubled 
force. 

“Darling, darling! You will be mine — you will be 
my wife ! My own !” 

“Never, never! I cannot — my promise — those vile 


Swooning quite away, she lay upon his breast, all 
unconscious of the passionate kisses that failed to 
arouse her. 

“Oh, my God! What can I do?” She swoons 
again. “And I was so happy !” 

Holding her close to his bosom, he murmured: 
“Darling, darling! Look at me! What promise? 
Why never? Speak; oh, speak to me!” Then placing 
her on a sofa, he fled to the hall and snatched from 
the table a Majolica vase, containing sweet marjoram 
water, remembering its efficacy, having seen them use 
it when he himself had felt faint ; and, picking up a 
dainty little handkerchief she had dropped, sank upon 
his knees beside her ; and, saturating it with the con- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


283 

tents of the vase, he bathed her marble-like face, and 
kissed her lips, calling on her to speak to him. Pres- 
ently she sighed, then opened her eyes ; but instead of 
the happy light he so much wished to see in their 
depths she regarded him with a look of intense an- 
guish. Kissing her lips again, he cried : 

“Darling, speak ; oh, speak to me !” 

“Leave me ; oh, leave me !” she exclaimed, in an- 
guish. 

He gathered her in his arms and said : 

“Listen, dearest ; you said you loved me. How shall 
I leave you, when you have rendered me so happy by 
the admission?” 

“Believe it not!” 

“Darling, you will be mine?” 

“Never — I cannot — go, go ! Leave me ! A promise 
I have made can never be broken. Stern duty holds 
me in his grasp. Leave me, my Lord, if you love me. 
And please send Marie to me at once.” Straining her 
to his heart, he kissed her lips and said : 

“I bow to your command.” Wandering aimlessly 
about the garden, amid the deep shadows of the even- 
ing, he met Elsie, Annie's maid, whom he dispatched 
for Marie, saying: “Send her to her Mistress, Elsie, 
whom she will find in the library.” He then betook 
him to the ladies' bower, where, filled with “rumina- 
tion sad,” he threw himself with great abandon upon 
a banquette ; and thus he lay till the dews of night 
began to fall, and darkness sent Louis with Jean to 
look for him. 

Marie conducted Lady Kathryn immediately to her 
apartment, where she disrobed and put her to bed, 
bringing at her bidding and using liberally volatiles, 
sweet-smelling fluids and a pouncet of rare perfume. 
And with all this Kate sank back on her pillow, white 
as death. 

Marie was frightened, and cried, as she administered 


284 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

her restoratives : “Oh, miladi ! Shall I nod call your 
mudder?” 

“No, no, Marie; be quiet! Bathe my face with 
sweet marjoram water.” 

“Ah, ma beaute ! Shall I nod bring you zome tea or 
coffee? Shall I tell your mudder ma petite ees eel?” 

Kathryn clasped her hands, her bosom rose and fell. 
The tender-hearted Marie, looking on her cold, white 
face, wept and wrung her hands in great distress. 
Kathryn, observing her distress, said, extending her 
hands : 

“Oh, dear girl, come here !” And she clasped in her 
arms her sympathetic friend, saying: “Do not feel 
distressed for me, Marie. Oh, must I cause grief to 
all who love me ! No, no ! I must not, I must not!’ 

Since the Earl had been pronounced quite recovered, 
preparations had at once been begun for the return to 
Fleetwood, although Lady Kathryn was ill and the 
Earl not so well as he had been and looked unusually 
pale and haggard. In two days they would start back, 
if Kathryn was well enough to undertake the journey. 

Kathryn, though not really ill, left not her room 
again until the morning set for their departure. On 
this morning the Earl walked up and down the great 
hall. Presently Lady Hawren came down. He met 
her eagerly at the foot of the broad stairway. 

“Dear Aunt, how is my cousin this morning ; how is 
Lady Kathryn ?” he asked, taking her hand. 

“She will be able to come down to breakfast this 
morning, my Lord, I thank you ; and feels that she is 
strong enough to undertake the journey.” 

“My dear aunt, I sincerely trust she may be,” he 
said, as he conducted Her Ladyship to the drawing- 
room ; then he turned and continued walking up and 
down at the foot of the stairway. He was very rest- 
less. Presently he heard voices on the stair; then he 
hastened to meet Kathryn, whom he now saw descend- 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 285 

ing, between Marie and Hortense, leaning languidly on 
their arms. 

She looked charming, though very delicate, in a 
rich crimson carriage dress, which she had donned for 
the journey, wearing a fresh knot of white flowers 
with the morning dew still on them which he had but 
a few moments before sent up to her by Kibbie Kent. 
Her face was pale, though her lips were scarlet, and a 
flush mantled her cheeks as their eyes met.' She bowed 
with a sweet smile, and, on reaching the floor, with- 
drew from the support of the maids and made him a 
graceful curtsey, the maids falling behind. He ap- 
proached and took her hand, which trembled nerv- 
ously in his, and, pressing it ardently to his lips, said 
fervently : 

“Dear cousin, how rejoiced am I that you are able 
to descend and come among us once more! Do you 
feel sure that you are well enough to undertake this 
journey, or ” 

“Oh, yes, yes, my Lord; I feel that it will be bene- 
ficial to me ; more so than aught else !” 

“True, it will do you good to get out on the road. 
You have been shut within doors for a fortnight ; and 
all for me, for me ! For two long weeks you sat by 
my side, and I so selfish as to request it of you. I 
have done you an injustice for which I can never 
atone, even by a lifetime of devotion,” he said softly. 

She rewarded him with a smile so sweet as almost to 
deprive him of his breath, and said : “My dear Lord, 
I owe you more than my life ; pray do not speak of 
having done me an injustice. It would, rather, have 
been an injustice had you refused to permit my at- 
tendance at your bedside, when you have almost given 
your life for me.” 

He pressed her hand tenderly and gave her a look 
replete with grateful love ; then they passed in to the 
breakfast parlor, where the others had preceded them. 


286 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Two hours later the Earl came out, equipped for the 
journey, leaning on Louis’ faithful arm. The coach 
drew up near the door; the spirited horses pranced 
and tossed their plumed heads. The inside of the 
royal old coach was sumptuous with embroidered trap- 
pings, rose-colored linings, and soft cushions. Kath- 
ryn was placed on the back seat, where she sank lan- 
guidly and reclined among the soft, richly wrought 
cushions. And how grateful was the Earl, when Lady 
Hawren said : 

“My Lord, I have had the back seat fitted up with 
pillows and cushions for the comfort of you two in- 
valids.” 

He rewarded her with a happy smile as he followed 
Kathryn and found her ensconced amid the delicate 
comforts for the journey. 

What a heaven to sit thus beside her and look on 
her face, though pale and pensive grown, throughout 
the whole of two days’ journey to Carlisle, after hav- 
ing been deprived of her company for two days by her 
illness! Toward the close of day, after a pleasant 
journey, they arrived at Carlisle. Lord and Lady de 
Bruce would hear to nothing else but they must stop 
and spend at least a week with them in their pleasant 
city home in Carlisle. As Kathryn continued quite 
delicate, Lady Hawren consented. Annie also re- 
mained, the rest of the party, except the Earl, going 
on to Fleetwood. 

Kathryn had stood the journey comparatively well, 
half reclining in the grand old coach ; yet was she still 
delicate and feverish, falling away each day. Doctor 
Godkins had returned, and, on hearing of their pres- 
ence in the city, came bustling over to hear all about 
the hunting, the encounter with the ruffians, and the 
Earl’s misfortune in receiving so dangerous a wound, 
regretting much that he had not been on hand to at- 
tend His Lordship, and was distressed beyond measure 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


2Z 7 


on finding Kate in such a low state of health. Her 
preternatural beauty smote his heart; for therein he 
read the ruin which a breaking heart “spreads by de- 
grees over loveliness/’ Her nervous system was un- 
dergoing a fearful strain. 

“Dear Lady Hawren,” he said, “it is beyond my 
ability to prescribe anything but a change of scene, a 
change of air — a sea voyage, in fact, will be the very 
thing for her. She is not so ill, but there’s some hid- 
den trouble that keeps her from rest ; her heart is in- 
volved. It is a disease beyond my practice. A per- 
turbation of mind and heart. The air of a sea voyage 
or some such change is all Lean prescribe.” 

The Earl also remained a few days in town, resting, 
and repeating to the doctor and his numerous other 
friends the story of the affray, and all about the 
hunting, the sport, and the pleasant time they had 
enjoyed. Then he and Doctor Godkins departed for 
Fleetwood. 

The Countess of Carlisle called on the ladies and 
expressed much sympathy for Kathryn, whom she 
loved very much, saying: 

“Cheer up, my Lady Kathryn ! I am to give a se- 
lect ball next week, and you must be well enough to 
attend ; for I assure you” — and she whispered in 
Kathryn’s ear that the others might not hear — “our 
friend, the gentle Simonides, will be there,” and she 
laughed gaily. “I made the Earl of Fleetwood prom- 
ise to return and attend the ball, and am anticipating 
a most delightful time.” After the young ladies had 
promised they would attend her ball she departed in 
fine spirits. Then Lady de Bruce and the Misses 
Bruneaugh began to persuade Lady Hawren to allow 
Kathryn to accompany them back to Paris, for Rosa 
was to return to the Conservatoire de Paris for an- 
other ten months, and the family would, in the mean- 
time, reside in Paris, 


2 %& 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Lady Hawren had recently received a letter from 
her uncle, urging her to send Kathryn to them for a 
year or more, for school advantages. All this appealed 
to Lady Hawren’s heart, for she had so much desired 
to have Kathryn finish her education in Paris. So, 
altogether, it was not so hard for her to decide. Then 
the doctor had recommended a sea voyage and change 
of scene. She was perfectly willing to entrust her to 
the care of Lady de Bruce, and being in company 
with the young ladies would be most pleasant and 
and cheering; besides, she had long desired to have 
her visit her uncle’s interesting family. Truly this was 
the best opportunity she might ever have. And Ma- 
dame had for some time been anxious to return to her 
native land. So Kathryn should go, taking both 
Madame and Marie with her. No matter about her 
own self, the pangs of separation, Kathryn must em- 
brace this opportunity. Accordingly, arrangements 
were made straightway for the voyage. 




CHAPTER XXIV. 


THE COUNTESS’ BALL. 

“Here shone a garden — lamps all o’er. 

As tho’ the spirits of the air 
Had taken it in their heads to pour 
A shower of summer meteors there; — 

While a lighted shrubbery led 
To a small lake that sleeping lay, 

Cradled in foliage, but, o’er head, * 

Open to heaven’s sweet breath and ray.” 

The week soon passed away, and the evening ap- 
pointed for the ball arrived, soft and balmy almost as 
a summer’s eve. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


289 


The Countess’ balls were always glorious affairs; 
and this was to be a farewell ball, for in a very short 
time she and the Earl of Carlisle — Lord Lieutenant of 
Cumberland — were to repair to London, he to attend 
the coming session of Parliament, while she indulged 
to her heart’s content in the gay social life of the great 
Metropolis. Her spacious drawing-rooms were soon 
filled to overflowing with the elite of the city. The 
Misses Bruneaugh, Annie and Kathryn, bedecked in 
their loveliest toilettes, were cordially welcomed ; part- 
ners were found for them, and they were soon prom- 
enading about the lovely rooms, in the garden, or on 
the borders of a lovely lake, which in tranquillity lay 
at the back of the beautiful garden. 

A little late the Earl came, in magnificent evening 
dress, a brocaded coat with white ruffles of point de 
France, a soft white tie with rich ends falling over the 
figured satin vest front, a radiant baldric with slender 
sword, over which he wore a light cloak of scarlet 
satin, clasped on the left shoulder with a buckle stud- 
ded with sparkling gems. He was attended by Rorey, 
in page’s dress, a scarlet-laced doublet and feathered 
hat bordered with gold lace and point de Espagne. 

In the cloakroom Lord Clifton met his old-time 
friend, Virgil de Vere, whom he had not seen for 
many months. After a cordial handclasp, happy once 
again to be thrown together, they entered the draw- 
ing-room, where they were warmly greeted by the host 
and hostess. The merry Countess, shaking de Vere’s 
hand, whispered in his ear, to which he, smiling, said : 

“Is she, so! I am rejoiced to hear this!” And, 
passing on, was soon lost in the great crowd. The 
Countess greeted the Earl of Fleetwood, saying: 

“My Lord, how are you now? I much feared you 
were not coming ! How glad am I to see you ! And — 
surely you are looking better,” still holding him by 
the hand, detaining him. 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


290 

“Thank you, dear Lady Carlisle ; I am feeling quite 
well again. Doctor Godkins accompanied me home 
and has been dosing me on tonics for a week, and I 
feel greatly benefited.” 

“Ah, so glad! So glad!” she exclaimed, from the 
depths of a kindly heart, relinquishing his hand. He 
turned and entered the brilliant throng, spoke to a 
number of his friends, but saw de Vere nowhere. 
Presently, finding Miss Bruneaugh who, no doubt, was 
on the qui vive for him, he promenaded for a while 
with her, for he never joined in the dance. He asked 
for Lady Kathryn and Miss Hamilton, but she had 
seen nothing of them since they first arrived. Pos- 
sibly they, with her sister, had gone into the garden. 
Now he came up with some ladies of his acquaintance, 
and chatted with them for a while; then met many 
others, all inquiring as to his health, and expressing 
much sympathy for him on account of the accident 
which had befallen him, in the midst, too, of his glori- 
ous chase, which otherwise, doubtless, would have 
afforded him so much pleasure. While he received 
their sympathy and homage with great courtesy, his 
anxious eye roved from one to another, seeking the 
assemblage over for Lady Kathryn, the one woman 
in this great crowd in whom he was really interested. 

Now after a fruitless search the folding doors lead- 
ing to the banquetting room were thrown open, and 
supper was announced. 

The Earl hesitated ; he must seek some lady whom 
he might attend to supper. Now the Countess, seeing 
him, approaches, wearing an exultant smile, and cries : 

“Oh, my Lord, I have succeeded! I am so re- 
joiced !” 

“What now, my Lady? Are you at your old mis- 
chief match-making again?” he asked. 

“Yes, my Lord ! Oh, I have a pair now of whom I 
feel perfectly sure. Ah, how they take to each other! 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


2 91 


They are well suited ; and, oh, how they do love each 
other already! I know! ’Tis not their first meeting, 
either ; I managed to bring them together some time 
ago, on his arrival from Paris ; but he was forced to 
leave again so soon. They are my best friends, too, 
my Lord, after yourself. Ah, see! Here they are 
now — your pretty cousin and my good friend, Virgil 
de Vere.” 

Sure enough, there passed Virgil de Vere with Lady 
Kathryn leaning gracefully on his arm ! He was say- 
ing something, at which Kathryn laughed out merrily 
and looked happier, he thought, than for a long time ; 
and, though so ethereal, so thin and delicate, her 
beauty to-night was regal. She was glorious ! And 
so engaged were they that they passed on, never ob- 
serving the Earl and Countess. 

“Now, my Lord, I appeal to your superior taste; is 
not that a charming couple? And how they do love 
each other! Nothing gives me more pleasure than 
thus to bring together two lovely young people whose 
hearts entwine as one !” Her voice fell on his aching 
heart as a shower of living fire ; he found it difficult to 
breathe ; his heart throbbed wildly, as she continued : 
“My Lord, shall we not follow on to supper, or have 
you a friend somewhere whom you wish to take?” 

“My dear Countess, no !” he said, scarce able to 
articulate ; and, offering her his arm : “There’s no one 
I wish to take but Your Ladyship.” 

Kathryn and de Vere had disappeared from his 
sight; and he began to wonder whether he had seen 
them; or was it a dream, a vision of loveliness which 
had appeared to him? 

On reaching the table, he placed the Countess and 
took a seat at her left ; on raising his eyes, he found 
Kathryn and de Vere vis-a-vis with them. He was 
deadly pale; but bowed to her with a sweet smile. 
She returned his greeting, and said tremulously. 


■EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


292 

“Oh, my Lord, I had not seen you, and knew not 
whether you had come!” 

He replied courteously; and the two couples con- 
versed some little across the table. The Countess was 
brilliant, and beside herself with joy at the progress 
she thought her two special friends were making to- 
ward a matrimonial alliance. 

Kathryn, at first almost overcome by a tremor which 
always came over her on meeting the Earl, soon ral- 
lied, and, with an assumed vivacity, joined in the con- 
versation. 

The Countess presently said to the Earl in an under- 
tone : 

“Oh, my Lord, only observe how attentive he is to 
her! Oh, it is glorious to bring together two souls 
that were made for each other! I can see that he 
adores her ; and she, my Lord, loved him at first sight ! 
I know, for I brought them together — introduced him 
to her on her first visit here; and you should have 
seen, my Lord, how they were ‘smit wi’ love’ at first 
sight! My Lord, she is lovely! I was charmed on 
our first meeting, the night of the grand wedding 
Your Lordship gave at Fleetwood; and then said that 
if I were a man I’d not sit supinely by and allow my 
Lord Graeme to bear away so lovely a prize. By the 
way, what has become of Lord Graeme, that we are 
no longer rendered happy by his presence and his ex- 
quisite voice in song?” 

“My Lady,” returned the Earl, who was almost wild 
with anxiety, “he may be in France, where he some- 
times abides, or is possibly on his own estate in West 
moreland.” And so the Countess rattled on, led from 
one thought to another, causing his gentle heart to 
rankle with anguish. He now ventured to raise his 
eyes to Kathryn’s face, which he observed was suf- 
fused with a glorious shade of pink, as she listened to 
de Vere’s ardent words, as he supposed. But this is 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


293 

what de Vere was really saying that brought the 
lovely flush to her delicate cheeks : 

“Now, my dear Lady, I am good at reading hearts, 
and see clearly that yours is all given to one who loves 
you as his life ; and he is well worthy of the purest 
woman’s love. He is the best man I ever knew; the 
noblest of the noble ! I know him well, for we spent 
four years together in dear old Oxford as chums ; then 
we traveled the Continent in company. He is as pure 
as the loveliest woman, and that is saying much, I 
think.” 

“It is, indeed, sir; but I accept it as true — every 
word!” she said. 

At which she raised her eyes, her face all aglow, at 
the praise he was bestowing on her heart’s idol, and 
met the Earl’s earnest, inquiring gaze. She smiled 
sweetly, then her eyelids drooped over the gentle tell- 
tale eyes. And she wondered what could be the matter 
with the Earl. What meant that — something — she had 
never before seen in his eyes? 

After supper Kathryn was surrounded by many new 
friends and acquaintances. The lovely evening had 
passed almost away and the Earl had not forced 
himself into her presence, but hung aloof in a most 
wretched state. It was now growing late ; and, feeling 
most miserable, he thought he must leave. Throwing 
on his cloak, he took his hat, but still lingered, walk- 
ing up and down a dimly lighted and deserted corri- 
dor, whence he had a glimpse of the happy guests, as 
he now and then passed the open doors of the draw- 
ing-rooms and the gay ballroom. Up and down he 
walked, thinking of the mockery all this gaiety pre- 
sented to his wretched soul. 

From the cheerful drawing-room Kathryn, half re- 
clining in a sumptuous easy-chair, almost overcome 
with anxiety, amazed, and marveling that he had not 
come near her, caught a glimpse of him, in his cloak, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


m 

hat in hand, as if ready to depart. On the impulse of 
the moment she broke away from a throng of admir- 
ers and quietly slipped into the corridor. The Earl 
had paused at the end of the corridor, and stood look- 
ing listlessly forth into the night from a great window 
which was there. A gentle hand was laid upon his 
arm. Starting from a reverie, he found Kathryn by 
his side. Now a flush of mortification suffused her 
face, for she had never before been guilty of such 
boldness, and wished that she might shrink away from 
his sight. But she intuitively felt that he was in some 
way wounded in his feelings, perhaps by her being 
with de Vere, and from the kindness of her heart she 
wished to relieve his mind, and said nervously : 

“Oh, my Lord, surely you are not going without — • 

without Oh, you have not spoken to me yet, of 

Flora, and Mrs. Macleod — and how are all at Fleet- 
wood ? And yourself, my Lord ; you — you” — looking 
up into his eyes — “you look pallid ; I fear you are not 
— not well yet ” She stopped, utterly confused. 

“Darling,” he said, placing his hand on hers, trem- 
bling on his arm, “you were so engaged I could not 
interrupt you in your happiness.” 

“And were going to leave?” she asked, choking up 
utterly. 

“I was not feeling well, and thought it best that I 
should retire.” 

“Oh, my Lord, and I have so much to say to you! 
Have you seen mother?” 

“Yes, darling; I stopped at Lord de Bruce’s before 
coming here — for that reason I was late — and had a 
conversation with Lady Hawren ; besides, she had 
written, consulting me on the subject of sending you, 
in company with Lord de Bruce’s family, to spend 
some time in Paris.” 

“And you — you, my Lord, were willing to have me 
go?” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


295 


“I — I thought it best — the doctor said you must have 
a change. But you have something you wish to say? 
May we not walk in the garden a little ?” 

“Yes, my Lord; I will get my shawl/’ She darted 
into a sideroom, and soon emerged with an Indian 
shawl ; and, placing her hand upon his arm, they went 
down the long corridor. Near the door of egress, on 
a Boule table, lay a lute ; he took it along, saying : 

“You will sing for me once more — I will listen again 
to the melody of your voice.” 

“Oh, my Lord, my heart is too sad to sing ; it will 
be but a sad melody !” They stepped out into the night 
air. In the garden the shrubbery was radiant with the 
light of a thousand little lamps. “And, my Lord, 
mother told you that she had decided — that the fiat has 
gone forth that I am to sail for Paris in two weeks 
with Lord and Lady de Bruce?” 

“She did, my cousin ; and does the thought of leav- 
ing make you sad?” 

“Yes, indeed, my Lord! How can I leave mother 
and — and — all?” she stammered. 

“I know, darling ; but it will not be for long.” 

Kathryn looked up into his face wonderingly; he 
spoke patronizingly, as though he were her father, 
brother, uncle, or guardian — someone who was to see 
to her well-being. He called her darling, just as a 
father might do ; he had never acted thus before. She 
did not understand, and looked inquiringly into his 
eyes. 

“Oh, my Lord,” she cried; “nearly a whole year!” 

“Aye, truly ! A long time it might seem ; but — he — 
y 0ur — friend — he often goes to Paris — resides there 
mostly. You will see him often,” he said brokenly. 

“My Lord ! My cousin !” she exclaimed. 

“Darling, your happiness is more to me than my life. 
I love my friend ; I love you ; your happiness is first 
with me, and I would lay down my life to secure it. 


296 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Do not allow one thought of me to disturb your happy 
lot. A thousand leagues beyond the sea lies a beauti- 
ful land ; lovely, with fine forests, majestic moun- 
tains, winding streams, sparkling lakes, summer fruits 
and flowers. I will seek the remotest ends of the 
earth ; quit the court* take up the camp, and go where 
glory calls and fame awaits me. I yield you to him, 
one of nature’s noblemen. I would not, if I could, 
blast the lives of two young and loving hearts. You 
told me, at Weirwolf, that you laaH pfomrts^d, some- 
thing — I did not understand — I did not know ” 

His voice trembled, he could scarcely articulate. She 
stopped short ; she gazed on his face, her crimson Ben- 
gal falling away from her fair shoulders. They had 
been walking slowly along since they stepped out into 
the balmy air of night, and now stood beside the little 
lake. The fragrant zephyrs came laden from the bow- 
ers ; a fair arcade was here and there, displaying lights 
and lovely flowers ; rich melody is wafted to them, 
borne on the soft breezes of the night ; the garden, be- 
decked with loveliness, lay before them. There flowed 
a sparkling fountain near. The canopy, over all, was 
superbly soft and blue. 

"My Lord, what do you mean?” she cried, aghast. 

“Why, darling, you told me about ‘Simonides/ 
And I know that you — that you must love him — I 
blame him not for loving you. Then the Countess — 
told me — told me — all ” he said hopelessly. 

“Love him ? I, love him? My Lord, you are labor- 
ing under a mistake ! The Countess has misled you. 
We are but good friends ; he does not love me — I 
cannot love two at once; I told you that I love you! 
I can never love another.” 

“Darling, darling, say you so! Oh, what a weight 
of anguish you have lifted from my heart !” he cried, 
as he clasped her to his breast. 

“But — but our love is boneless — is hopeless !” she 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


297 


•wailed. “My promise ” And, struggling from 

him, she sank upon a seat and covered her face with 
her hands. She was excited and so delicate he feared 
she might swoon, as she had done. There were many 
couples strolling about among the lighted shrubbery; 
and to be found there with a young lady swooning in 
his arms was anything but desirable. He must soothe 
her feelings ; he had been so passionate, he argued 
with himself. 

He sat down beside her; the lake lay peacefully 
sleeping at their feet, reflecting a thousand twinkling 
lights. In this enchanting spot the noise of the danc- 
ers might not reach their ears ; but the more ethereal 
joys of minstrelsy might soothe the tumultuous throb- 
bings of their hearts. He gazed on her lucid eyes, her 
face suffused with tears, her lips trembling with emo- 
tion. How he wished to ask her what promise she 
had made ; why she should say their love was hopeless ; 
but he must soothe, not excite her. Now that he knew 
that she loved him, and him only, he could wait; he 
must curb his impatience and wait. Upon the ground 
near him lay the lute. He had dropped it in his exces- 
sive joy. He took it up, saying softly: 

“Cousin, will you not sing for me one sweet song 
ere we part for so many long months ? I may not have 
the pleasure again; for two days hence I start for 
London, in company with the Lord Lieutenant and 
Countess. I have but just made them my promise.” 

“My Lord, do you go so soon ? I supposed that 
you would remain until we set sail.” 

“I would have done so, but — but — I have this night 
promised them, wishing — wishing to get away. Then 
you sail for Paris. I must return to Fleetwood now, 
and will return here day after to-morrow; then set 
out next day for London. I must fill my post at court. 
And if you were not going to Paris we should be sepa- 
rated anyway, for I reside in London again this year. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


298 

I will see you once more, the evening before my de- 
parture, if I may.” 

“Yes, ah yes, my Lord ; but you will not think 
again, any more, that I love ‘Simonides’?” 

“No, darling, never; since you declare that you do 
not.” 

“You were willing to give me over to him.” 

“For your happiness, darling, only.” 

“I would not buy my happiness at the price of yours, 
my Lord.” 

“Oh, darling, you could make me so happy ; but, 
never mind — I am happy anyway, now,” he said, not- 
ing a sad change coming over her face ; for her con- 
science smote her as she thought : I am giving him 
encouragement when I should not. That fatal promise, 
made in my thoughtlessness, like the sword of Damoc- 
lese, hangs over me, ready to destroy my every hope ; 
and a feeling of hopelessness filled her soul. She 
took the lute; her fingers moved slowly from chord 
to chord, as if seeking some lost melody ; then she 
began a languid lay, all sorrow laden, her soft theme 
with every note calling forth a wail, as from a broken 
heart. She touched her lute with exquisite delicacy, 
and sang softly thus : 

Wonderful lute, wonderful lute, 

Come to my soul’s relief ; 

There’s nothing now left for me — 

Nothing but grief. 

Chase away, chase away, 

All signs of gladness. 

Wonderful lute, wonderful lute, 

All now is sadness. 

Mournful lute, mournful lute, 

Come to my relief at last; 

Chase away, chase away, 

Sweet memories now past. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


299 


Come, banish all lightness, 

My bright hopes are fled; 

Mournful lute, mournful lute, 

My sad heart is dead. 

“Richest love, sweetest love, 

I mourn o’er thy pleasures; 

Bitter woe, bitter woe. 

Thine are my treas — .” 

Snatching the lute from her, he threw it on the 
ground, and, seizing her hands, he cried: 

“Darling, you should not sing such sad refrains ; 
they are not for such as you! Let joy, not sadness, 
fill your warm heart !” 

She spoke not. The moon rose over the lake ; its 
soft splendor, putting to shame the many twinkling 
lights among the shrubs and trees, threw a radiance 
over them, soothing their unquiet hearts into a soft- 
ened rapture. She rose to go. Taking her hand, he 
imprinted upon it a burning kiss, then drew it within 
his arm, and they walked slowly up the garden path, 
his heart buoyant with hope ; hers depressed. 


4 s 

CHAPTER XXV. 

FAREWELLS. 

“Farewell ! and when the ocean wide 
Hath parted us, as it must part, 

One sigh will draw me to thy side; 

One kiss will heal my broken heart !” 

Now the moon, full-orbed, was shining, and, soar- 
ing up her pathway, shed on two upturned faces a 
silvery veil of light. Cooling zephyrs played among 
enchanting flowers, wafting rich odors to the pair of 
lovers seated beside a plashing fountain. The fall 


300 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


of cool waters, gushing and flashing with rhythmic 
harmony, sparkled like a myriad of diamonds in the 
silver light. Her face was overshadowed by a look 
of softened sorrow ; his radiant with a happiness he 
could not repress, although they were so soon to part. 
She loved him — had admitted it. He had been so 
wrought upon believing she loved his friend that now, 
having been assured of his mistake, he could not re- 
strain his joy. Resting in the assurance of her love, 
he could now wait until such time as suited her to 
dismiss that something which distressed and held her 
from him. He was supremely happy. How fathom- 
less was his love ; how sublime his hope ! 

Her eyes, scintillating with Elysian fire, were turned 
on him as she said: 

“My Lord, for every joy there is a sorrow ” 

“Oh, my Lady; say not so, but, rather, for every 
sorrow there is unbounded joy — a compensation for 
all our sadness; a joyous compensation! Think; only 
two evenings ago at the Countess’ ball, how utterly 
miserable was I; how dejected! Thrown into the 
direst gloom, being misled.” 

“And where was it you were going, my Lord; to 
the ends of the earth?” 

“I had made up my mind to sail for America, India, 
or any other point, where I might die, and never more 
be heard from. But by your frank admission all my 
sorrow was suddenly turned into heavenly bliss ” 

“It cannot last, my Lord.” 

“Yes, darling, it must — it shall! Oh, do not turn 
thus so coldly from me, with that look of anguish I 
so often have seen on your sweet face.” 

“Like the sunny apples of Istakhar, our love is a 
commingling of sweet and bitter,” she said sadly. 
Bells in the distance tolled the midnight hour. The 
Earl rose to go. 

“I must go, now, darling. Farewell, my own true 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 301 

love,” he whispered, imprinting upon her hand a kiss ; 
then one upon her burning cheek. 

“A cousin’s kiss,” he said, as they turned to the 
veranda, whence came a mingling of voices in laugh- 
ter and gay converse. 

On one end of the veranda Louis and Rose stood, 
beneath a shadow of drooping woodbines, and thus 
they had spoken : 

“So, Mr. Kearney, you leave to-morrow, with my 
Lord of Fleetwood.” 

“Yes, Miss Rosa; then you sail away to France, 
to remain for an interminable time. When shall I 
have the pleasure to see you again?” 

“Possibly never, Mr. Kearney.” 

“Oh, say not so!” 

“Yet I trust that I may live to return, do you not?” 

“I devoutly wish you may, my little friend.” 

“I thank you, Mr. Kearney, for your devout wish ; 
I shall return in one short year, or less.” 

“May I hope that you will not forget me, Rosa, 
during your long absence?” 

“Forget you? Never!” 

“In the meantime, may I not think of you as my 
little sweetheart?” 

“Sweetheart? What’s that?” she asked, appearing 
not to know, at the same time giving encouragement 
by a tender glance. 

“Why — ah — one whom you love.” 

“Love! Oh! I do not know what that is. Then 
you — you ” 

“I wish, at least, to call you sweetheart. May I not 
call you so?” 

“Surely! I like it. It sounds very sweet. Then 
I may — someday — learn something about — love.” 

“I trust so, Rosa. Then, remember, while you are 
absent I will think of you as my sweetheart; and 
when you return I shall call you sweetheart.” 


302 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Oh, it is so interesting! Then you may, per- 
haps, call me so always.” 

“Truly? May I so? But, Rosa, little sweetheart, 
you flirted with Lord Phantomfell at Weirwolf. Did 
not he propose — offer you his heart and hand? And 
did you — surely you did not reject him?” 

“Reject him ? Yes, sir ; I gave him a coup de grace 
“How could you reject him, Rosa? You gave him 
encouragement — every reason to hope. What said 
you, then ; how consoled you him ?” 

“I said : ‘My Lord, you will find a far more fitting 
mate in my sister, to whose tender graces I take 
pleasure in commending your Lordship.’ ” 

“You are a cruel little coquette, sweetheart ; but I 
see my Lord is taking leave, and I must follow. Fare- 
well, then,” he said, as he took her hand and gave it a 
hearty squeeze. “You will not forget me, Rosa?” 
“Never, never, Mr. Kearney. Good-bye,” she said. 


The Earl had bidden farewell to his friends, and 
stood ready to depart, as Louis, emerged from the 
shadows at the end of the veranda, bade farewell to 
all, and followed his Lordship. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


TO PARIS. 

“When thou art nigh, it seems 
A new creation round; 

The sun hath fairer beams, 

The lute a softer sound. 

Tho’ thee alone I see, 

And hear alone thy sigh; 

'Tis light, ’tis song to me, 

’Tis all — when thou art nigh!” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


303 

Six months have passed since that sweet Septem- 
ber night in Carlisle, when long farewells were spoken 
and lovers were forced to part. The wintry winds of 
March were blowing, and the frosty air is filled with 
snowflakes, while lowering clouds obscure the twink- 
ling stars. We find the Earl of Fleetwood in the 
midst of the pleasures of a grand court ball, the crowd 
consisting of the very elite of the great metropolis. 
His Lordship was attired in superb court costume, 
for this was a state occasion, and there were gath- 
ered the peers of the United Kingdom in great cere- 
mony, in their ample robes of scarlet cloth, adjusted 
on the right shoulder with splendid brooch and quar- 
tered with bands of ermine, each according to his 
rank, the Duke wearing four rows of ermine on his 
robe, the Marquis three and a half, the Earl three, the 
Viscount two and a half, the Baron two. Beneath 
these scarlet robes they wore square-cut coats, long- 
flapped waistcoat with pockets reaching to their tight 
stockings, which came very high, large hanging cuffs 
with much rich lace ; many wore wigs with long curls, 
while others had assumed a new French style of side- 
tresses and cue, soft drooping moustachois, and broad, 
galoon-trimmed hats, turned up on one side, with 
feather. 

Now, the Earl of Fleetwood, enjoying a conversa- 
tion with the Baroness Brundridge, was saying: “May 
we not expect your Ladyship in North England next 
summer? It is long since we had the pleasure of 
seeing you at Hawdon Manor or Carlisle.” 

“Truly, my Lord, it is long since we visited the 
charming North Countrie, and I promise you I shall 
be delighted to get out among the mountains and lakes 
once more. There’s no country like unto Cumber- 
land, ‘with its mists and multitudinous voices of hid- 
den streams.’ ” 


304 'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“And for hunting and fishing, your Ladyship must 
admit, there is no place comparable with it.” 

“True, my Lord. Oh, how happy; were it only 
possible to spend the rest of my days in that salubrious 
and most romantic country! But, my Lord, where 
have you been keeping yourself since last we met? 
I have not had the pleasure to see you since last year, 
in Paris, you remember — what a charming time we 
had at the Coronation — and next day in the Bois de 
Bologne, with the royal hunting party ! How glorious 
you are in a chase, my Lord!” 

“Your Ladyship, allow me to say you are something 
grand yourself.” 

“Uh, hu! hu! hu !” she laughed; “yes, owing to 
my size, no doubt. Come, my Lord, none of your 
flattery.” 

“May I not, then, offer you just praise in exchange 
for the flattery on which your Ladyship would wish 
to feed me?” 

“I assure you, I am no flatterer, but your Lord- 
ship’s most sincere friend — and, oh, my Lord, have 
you seen Virgil since his return from India? I de- 
clare, the boy runs about so that I cannot keep up 

with him ” But the Earl was interrupted, and 

had not time to respond to her inquiry, for a royal 
attendant approached, saying: 

“A thousand pardons, my Lord, but His Majesty 
requests your attendance in his council chamber.’* 

Turning to the Baroness, he said, excusing himself : 
“Dear Lady Hermione, I have received a summon 
from the King, and am forced to quit your most agree- 
able company; you will excuse me.” He then fol- 
lowed the messenger to the King’s presence. 

In an ante-room he passed a group of courtiers, 
who were thronged around the King, and who spoke 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


305 


pleasantly, yet looked wistfully after him as he passed 
on and found His Majesty in his council chamber. 

Motioning away his attendants, the King received 
the Earl alone. 

“My Lord Fleetwood,” the King said, after the Earl 
had made his obeisance, “a messenger is to be dis- 
patched at once to the Embassy in Paris. I have sent 
for you, knowing your loyalty to your King; besides, 
you have aforetime rendered us useful service, and 
so I felt that in calling on you to quit the ballroom, 
and set out at once on a hasty mission, I should not 
be denied ; but find in your Lordship a trusty mes- 
senger.” An expression of undisguised pleasure 
flashed over the Earl’s face as he replied, gallantly: 

“Your Majesty, I will gladly undertake the mis- 
sion, with many thanks for your kind appreciation of 
my willingness to serve you, and assure you I will 
accomplish it in due time.” 

“But, my dear Lord, it is necessary that you set out 
at once, and, reaching Paris, you will have not a mo- 
ment to tarry after you shall have received the burden 
of your mission, but hasten back at once, at the very 
earliest moment possible. Much, very much, depends 
on the dispatch with which you accomplish your mis- 
sion. Your departure will be so abrupt, my Lord, 
that you will not have time to exchange your satin 
buskins for riding boots, nor your court dress for a 
more suitable equipment for traveling. A barge will 
sail in a few minutes, and, to expedite your return, 
you must board her at once. I would have given 
your Lordship this information sooner, but hesitated 
to draw you away from the joyous throng, where you 
appeared to be so happily engaged, but duty, my 
Lord, comes before pleasure.” 

“Happily engaged!” your Majesty; my happiness 
lies hence; even where you would send me, there 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


306 

my heart is drawn by ties of the deepest devotion to 
one of the fairest and best!” 

“Aha, my Lord, but unless you should have fair 
winds there will be no time for you to devote to 
Cupid’s mission.” 

“I shall never loiter in your Majesty’s service ” 

“I have the utmost confidence in you, my Lord. 
The very reason I entrusted this important mission 
to you in preference to others is because I know 
that I can trust you. An’ it were not for the great 
haste of the moment, I should make thee tell me all 
now ; but you must go,” the King said, slapping him 
familiarly on the shoulder as he continued, pleasantly : 
“Some other time will answer ; you may have adverse 
winds and rough waters; you must go aboard now. 
But, remember, I am to be your confidante, my Lord.” 

“So you shall, your Majesty,” returned his Lord- 
ship, as, with the easy grace of a courtier, he dropped 
on one knee and kissed His Majesty’s hand ; then, with 
a deep bow, he was ready to take his departure.” 

“Where is your heavy cloak, my Lord, to cover up 
your court dress?” 

“In the ante-room, your Majesty; away beyond the 
dancing salon.” 

“Will your Lordship please to touch the bell?” 

The Earl rang the bell ; a man immediately entering 
from a side room, the King said: 

“Andre, are the men and horses ready?” 

“All ready, Sire, and waiting at the door.” 

“My Lord, Andre Ripon, here, will conduct you 
to the door, where you will find two men waiting with 
horses, who will attend you. Reach me my cloak, 
Andre, and assist me to adjust it on the shoulders 
of this manly fellow. There! Now allow me to clasp 
the buckle myself, my Lord, if you please ; we will 
not take the time to fetch yours, but you will wear 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


30 7 

this of mine ; it is long, and will protect you com- 
pletely/' 

The ample cloak, floating from his shoulders, fell 
from his fine form in rich folds to the floor. 

“Take this,” the King continued, thrusting into an 
inner pocket of the great cloak a packet of letters 
securely tied with a red ribbon. “Here are state 
papers, to be delivered by your hand into the hand 
of our Minister in Paris. Deliver this ; then set out on 
your return as soon as you receive the reply. I trust 
you implicitly for promptness of action, my Lord. 
Andre will conduct you to a place where a boat lies 
at the mooring to take you and your attendants out 
to where a barge awaits you, ready to weigh anchor.” 

“Your Majesty, I am most willing to serve you, 
and am proud of your commendation and the trust 
reposed in me, and beg to assure you I will use all 
possible dispatch,” the Earl said, kneeling. He kissed 
the King's hand, and was rising to depart, when the 
King laid a detaining hand on his arm and said : 

“One moment yet, my Lord. In regard to the Cap- 
tain's commission for young Arranton — it has been 
issued. He will receive it anon. And I can assure 
you further the matter of restoration, of which you 
spoke, is being looked into. The Duke of Hamilton 
and the Earl of Athole are both interested in it. I 
doubt not, my Lord, your request will be granted, 
and, mark me, any request or favor you shall prefer 
to me alone it shall be granted, I promise you. Re- 
member, you go on an important mission. God grant 
thee speed, my boy. Andre, conduct His Lordship 
through the private room, behind the arras.” Andre 
raised the rich tapestry of the Gobelines, the King 
pressed the hand of the Earl, and he passed out 
through a sumptuous apartment ornate with splendid 
mirrors and rich divans and fine china. 


3 o8 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

IN PARIS. 

“So warmly we met, and so fondly we parted, 

That which was the sweeter, even I could not tell— 

That first look of welcome her sunny eyes darted, 

Or that tear of passion, which blessed our farewell. 

To meet was a heaven, and to part thus another — 

Our joy and our sorrow seemed rivals in bliss; 

Oh ! Cupid’s two eyes are not liker each other, 

In smiles and in tears, than that moment to this.” 

The grand salon of the Hotel de Dubois-Raymond 
presented a scene of entrancing beauty. Many proud 
and noble guests had been invited to attend a fete 
given in honor of the arrival of a distinguished and 
much-esteemed relative, General du Challette. 

Many elegant ladies, superbly costumed, graced the 
occasion with their presence. There were shimmer- 
ings of rich silks, with billows of foamy lace, flash- 
ing of jewels and dark eyes ; and tall plumes waving 
and nodding gracefully over soft and fluffy tresses. 

Many noted men were here, whose fame had spread 
from nation to nation, and who controlled the destinies 
of kingdoms — mighty masters of the pen, staff offi- 
cers in brilliant uniforms, men of wealth and men 
of genius, presenting an animated throng of the beauty 
and chivalry of the great French capital. 

Brilliant lights threw a radiance over an ensemble 
of harmonious coloring, while from the orchestra 
rolled heavenly strains of melody. Amid this scene 
of surpassing splendor, leaning gracefully on the arm 
of a richly uniformed officer, was our Lady Kathryn, 
exquisitely gowned — the superb fit of her corsage, the 
graceful folds of her elegant pelisse displaying a 
queenly figure; a ruby worth a city's wealth flashed 
amid her dark-brown hair, her personality almost ob- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


309 


scured by her sumptuous toilette. Her beauty was be- 
wildering. One season in Paris, where she had be- 
come darling of salon and ballroom, had made her a 
model of grace and elegance, envied for her beauty 
and pleasing address by many of the court beauties. 

Kathryn and Captain le Blank had joined the prome- 
nade, conversing pleasantly, the young officer regard- 
ing her with undisguised admiration. Her cousins, 
daughters of Count Dubois-Raymond, followed on, 
with their escorts, chatting and laughing gaily. 

Presently they ascended to a balcony, and were 
seated at small, round tables, which were sumptuously 
spread and attractively decorated with flowers and 
soft lights ; and where was displayed the most exqui- 
site cookery of France. 

The revelry had continued until near the hour of 
midnight, when, at the farther end of the grand salon, 
Lady Kathryn and the young officer found a glorious 
seat in the deep embrasure of a window, amid a 
burst of tropical bloom and trailing tendrills of glossy 
foliage. Resting here after a long promenade amid 
the resplendent scenes of the thronged rooms, they 
watched the gay couples floating by them. 

Anon, Kathryn beheld adown a long vista two ele- 
gantly groomed young men. Her heart quivered, 
then stood still ; she almost swooned. 

“Yes ; it is the Earl of Fleetwood !” — or had her 
eyes deceived her — accompanied by her cousin, Vis- 
count Berenger. 

“It is; it is my Lord!” she thought, clasping her 
hands tightly, the blood leaving her face. 

It was the Earl of Fleetwood, even more handsome 
than ever she had seen him, sumptuously attired in a 
brocaded suit, wearing a light court cloak of scarlet 
cloth, guarded with three bands of ermine, and wearing 
a court sword. She had never before seen him in 
court dress. 


3 io 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


The Earl and Viscount walked and talked amid the 
dazzling throng, the Viscount introducing him to a 
number of his friends, but the Earl was impatient to 
get sight of his cousin Kathryn. Mingling with the 
throng, they soon found themselves nearing the end of 
the long room. Presently they drew quite near to the 
charming nook where sat Kathryn and Captain le 
Blank. The young officer spoke : 

“Why, here is your cousin, the Viscount How 

is it, Berenger, you are late on this festive occasion ?’* 
he asked. Kathryn was in a tremor. 

“Why, we were looking for you, Lady Kathryn, and 
would have passed you by, perhaps, you are so 
screened in amid the flowers,” returned the Viscount. 
“Here is your cousin of Fleetwood, just from Lon- 
don. We have looked for you since we entered.” 
Kathryn had risen. The Earl clasped her hand. 

“Oh, my Lord,” she said, “I am so glad to meet 
you — to see someone from home, and hear — and hear 
from them ” 

“I am delighted to find you, my cousin, and assure 
you 1 will gladly give you all the news from home 
that I can, though I have not been to Fleetwood since 
you left, and have seen no one from that place.” 

The Viscount then introduced the officer, who 
greeted the Earl most cordially, saying : 

“And now I perceive I must relinquish your Lady- 
ship’s most agreeable company in favor of his Lord- 
ship — this newly arrived cousin of yours, of whom you 
so much desire to have speech.” 

“Yes, yes! Come, now, Captain, we cannot allow 
you to monopolize our fair cousin, to the exclusion 
of all else, as you would doubtless most willingly do. 
Come with me.” So saying, Berenger took the Cap- 
tain’s arm and, bowing low, they walked away, leav- 
ing the Earl and Kathryn to a tete-a-tete in this lovely 
niche, almost surrounded with choice exotics. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 




“Dear cousin,” he said, “I am so glad to find you, 
having only a very few moments to spend in your 
sweet society.” 

“Oh, my Lord! How is it you cannot remain?” 

“Dear cousin, think it not strange or anything un- 
usual that I am here on a mission requiring great 
haste,” he said, looking into her sweet eyes, which 
caused her face to flush beautifully. “I had, as agent 
for the King, cause for departing from London so 
abruptly that I had not time to exchange my court 
dress for a more suitable traveling equipment, but, 
enveloping myself in a long cloak, I left the court and 
started immediately for Paris ; and, am sorry to say, 
must use as much dispatch in starting back. I ar- 
rived at the Embassy at eight o’clock this evening, 
after a hard day by stage, delivered some state papers, 
and will receive a reply at dawn to-morrow, when I 
shall set forth on my return. I felt I could not leave 
without seeing you, but could not, with propriety, 
leave the Embassy until after the banquet. I was 
nearly heartbroken, fearing it would be so late that I 
should be deprived of seeing you, but, fortunately, 
met your cousin Berenger, who is an old friend of 
mine, and spends most of his time in London, where 
he is a member of the diplomatic corps. I must say 
he is a noble young man and eminently fitted for dip- 
lomatic management. Hearing of my arrival at the 
Embassy, he hastened to me, and brought me here to 
meet you. After hearing of the fete I still might not 
have come, not being an invited guest, but he kindly 
remained with me until after His Excellency’s ban- 
quet, promising I should see you.” 

“Oh, I could not live had you not come!” she ex- 
claimed, impulsively, radiant with happiness. 

“Yes, you wished to hear from your mother and 
friends at home,” he replied, regarding her atten- 
tively. 


312 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Oh, it is so delightful to meet — to meet one from 
home; so delightful to ” she paused, and, ventur- 

ing to look up, she encountered his earnest, impas- 
sionate regard. She smiled benignantly, a soft pink 
bloom tingeing her cheeks. 

“And can you not say that you are glad to see 
me, though I bring you no message from your 
friends ?” 

“I truly am, my Lord,” she returned softly. 

“I find myself most happy once more to be in your 
presence, though in so short time I must say good- 
bye. Meanwhile may we not promenade among the 
flowers ?” 

She assented, and, rising, he took her soft hand 
and placed it upon his arm. Leaving the lovely re- 
cess, he led her into the conservatory, where some 
others were wandering amid a scene of tropical luxuri- 
ance, sweetly contrasting with the wintry night out- 
side. They strolled on in unalloyed happiness, Kath- 
ryn thinking: 

“I will allow nothing to mar my delight at being 
with my dear Lord once more ; nothing shall mar my 
happiness to-night ; no remembrance of that which is 
unpleasant; that which is impossible. Nothing, noth- 
ing!” She smiled serenely. What blissful moment! 
As they chatted gaily they came to a bower well 
screened from all observing eyes. Here was a crim- 
son sofa, closed in on every side with a bewildering 
array of snow-white blossoms, festooned with glossy 
foliage ; and the fall “of fragrant waters gushing with 
cool sound from many a jaspar fount is heard around.” 
Waves of rich melody, rippled and floated to them, 
borne upon the fragrance-laden air. Here they paused, 
and he said softly: “I soon must leave you, cousin, 
and have brought you here to say farewell. I shall 
not see you perhaps again until you return home next 
summer. I shall have arranged for all of us a fine 


! KARL OF FLEETWOOD 


3i3 

outing for the last two weeks of August or the first of 
September. I feel sure you will enjoy it.” 

“Oh, yes, my Lord; so much! I must say you are 
always successful in arranging your pleasure parties — 
your hunting and fishing excursions I have not for- 
gotten, my Lord — the glorious hunting we had in 
Weirwolf chase, if it had not been for the fearful 
rencounter in which your Lordship was so grievously 
wounded and had to suffer so much.” 

“Welcome be the memory of all my suffering, rather 
than one moment of bliss be forgotten. I had sweet 
compensation for all I suffered,” he said, gallantly, 
his voice soft and reverent. “I found your good 
mother and your dear self such good nurses that I 
remember it only as a very great pleasure.” 

She rewarded him with a smile of unutterable 
sweetness. She had received him with so much ap- 
parent pleasure, and had conversed with him so much 
more unreservedly than heretofore that he was wildly 
happy. He felt that she had given him more en- 
couragement than on any previous meeting, and mani- 
fested more pleasure in his society than ever before. 

Consulting his repeater, he said : 

“Sweet cousin, it is now time for my departure. I 
see a number of guests are taking leave. I must 
acknowledge I have just spent one of the happiest 
hours of my life.” 

“Oh, must you go?” she said. Her eyes were cast 
down : he could not read their telltale depths, but took 
her hand and, pressing it passionately to his lips, he 
said, with suppressed emotion: 

“One word, darling ; one word from your lips would 
complete my happiness! One word, darling, ere we 
part ! Only say that you will be mine— -one little whis- 
pered word. Say yes, sweetheart; speak comfort to 
my soul!” Waiting breathlessly for her reply, he 


ji4 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

noted a deadly pallor overspreading her face. She 
looked up, with an agonized expression. 

'‘I cannot ! I cannot ! I have promised !” she 
moaned, leaning heavily on his arm, her breath com- 
ing thick and fast. Fearing she would swoon, he drew 
* her hastily to the sofa, saying: 

“Shall we not sit here until you feel better?” He 
kissed her unresisting hand again and again, and, 
pressing it between his own, said: 

“Forgive me, dearest, Lady Kathryn ; forgive me ! 
I would not cause you one moment of pain. I will 
go! I shall suffer, but could I feel assured of your 
happiness I should be content. My regard for you, 
fair cousin, makes me unwilling to do anything to 
grieve you.” 

“Oh, my Lord, I can never be happy again ! That 
promise! That promise!” she murmured, in broken 
accents. 

“Sweet friend, I should not have spoken again, 
since you had forbidden me. Oh, what cruel promise 
can keep you from me, dearest? You will explain 
to me some time, will you not? But I leave you now, 
dearest cousin. Farewell, farewell! Shall I take you 
to your friends or leave you here alone?” 

“Leave me; leave me here!” she cried, in a par- 
oxysm of emotion. “I am perfectly at home here, 
and shall take care of myself.” 

He pressed her hand, then stooping, imprinted a 
kiss upon her pale cheek. She was near swooning; 
but stoutly resisted until he was out of sight, then 
dropped back in the arm of the sofa in a dead faint. 

As the Earl entered the ballroom he found the 
guests departing. Making his adieux to the host and 
hostess, who made strenuous efforts to detain him over 
night, he passed out of the room and met the Vis- 
count in an ante-chamber, where he had left his heavy 
cloak. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


315 


“Berenger,” he said, in a husky voice, “pray go to 
your cousin immediately. I left her in the conserva- 
tory — in the east side, near a fountain. I fear she is 
feeling badly. And, oh Berenger, be sure to meet me 
in the morning, ere I leave; you know the hour.” 

Berenger promised, pressing his hand warmly, for 
they were not only the warmest of friends, but confi- 
dantes. 

Marie and two other maids had been standing on a 
side veranda, in the moonlight, watching the depart- 
ing guests as they entered their coaches and were 
whirled away down the streets, and now, entering the 
conservatory by way of a revolving window, came 
suddenly upon Lady Kathryn pale as death, leaning 
stiffly against the back of the sofa, her face against 
the deep crimson plush, white as alabaster. 

“Mon Dieu! qu’ est-il arrive?” cried one, on see- 
ing her. 

“Oh, del! Miladi, she has fainted!” cried Marie, 
as she sprang to her assistance. “Here, Therressa — • 
Jeanne — take dees leetle moushoir and dib it in the jet- 
d’-eau and giff id here, quickly — ah, mafoi ” 

“Ma chere enfant!” cried another. 

Berenger hastened to the conservatory, as requested 
by the Earl, and, rushing to the fountain, heard these 
exclamations. He sprang at once to her side, and, 
bathing her face in the silvery dews from the fountain, 
she was soon restored to consciousness, after which 
he led her to his sister’s, who conducted her to her 
own apartments. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

LADY HAWREN AND THE SPINNERS — A PROPOSAL. 

“I will the distaff hold, 

Come thou and spin.” 


3i6 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Now nearly fled was sunset’s light, 

Leaving but as much of its beam 
As gave to objects, late so bright, 

The coloring of a shadowy dream ! 

And there was still where day had set, 

A flush that spoke him loth to die — 

A last link of his glory yet, 

Binding together Earth and Sky.” 

Three months later, on a balmy evening in June, 
Lady Hawren sat in a bartizan window-seat with her 
maids around her, busily engaged with a piece of fine 
embroidery, while the maids and Mrs. Macleod were 
engaged in work of different kinds. The little treadle- 
wheels buzzed in a charming manner ; the reels clicked 
off the cuts of fine-spun yarns; the steady bang! 
bang! of looms, in an adjoining room, was heard. 
Mrs. Macleod sat near, winding a ball from three 
broaches of thread that danced and capered about in 
a basin at her feet. Lady Hawren, starting up, ex- 
claimed : 

“I declare, the droning sound from the buzzing 
wheels has nearly put me asleep !” 

“My Lady should get out in the open air,” ob- 
served Mrs. Macleod. “Your Ladyship is not looking 
so well as usual. You grieve for your daughter, my 
Lady.” 

“Oh, Mrs. Macleod, she has been away so long, and 
the mail packets are so irregular. Here I have two 
letters from her to-day — one written the first of April ; 
the other is of much more recent date.” 

“And she will soon be coming home, now, my 
Lady?” 

“Yes, in one or more months. She thinks she will 
arrive some time in August.” 

“His Lordship, the Earl, will also return in Au- 
gust — the latter part of the month, I think.” 

“Oh, yes. In the letter first written Kathryn speaks 
of his having been in Paris, on a rather short visit, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


317 


1 think, as she saw him only for a few moments. My 
Lord intends taking us to the old castle on the sea- 
side for a few weeks when he returns, so he says 
in his last letter. What of the old castle, and where 
is it, Mrs. Macleod?” 

“It is situated on the Solway Firth, about fifteen 
miles distant, my Lady, and was formerly, many years 
ago, the home and stronghold of some of my Lord's 
ancestors. Though almost in ruins now, some parts 
of the more modern additions are in a good state of 
preservation ; insomuch that it will make a pretty 
good summer abode for a small party during a stay 
of a few weeks. ,, 

“The Earl is very considerate to undertake so much 
for our pleasure, and I do appreciate his goodness 
much. But, oh, if Kathryn may only return to us in 
safety I shall be happy enough anywhere !” 

“Dear Lady, I know 'tis hard, this separation from 
an only child. I have never for a day been separated 
from Flora, and feel that I can never live away from 
her.” 

“Kathryn will be glad to return to us. Only listen 
while I read from her letter. She is with my uncle's 
family, now in the country, in his grand chateau. 
‘How delighted I am with Paris ! And yet I long to 
be at Fleetwood once more ; to be with you, my 
mother! I shall never leave you again. Our uncle, 
aunt and cousins have been delightfully sweet to me, 
yet no one can fill the place of mother. All have 
shown me the greatest courtesy, taking me every- 
where, for they have entree into the very best circles 
in Paris. We have been here in the chateau one 
month, and it is the dearest place — save Fleetwood 
Castle. Berenger, the Viscount, comes home now, 
and then, and oh, he is so jolly! We romp all over 
the grand old place, then drive or ride in the nicest 
forest. I have not been separated from the girls, 


318 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


even for a day, since I came, and they are still the 
same sweet, dear creatures they were on our first 
meeting. Am arranging to come home ; will sail with 
Lord and Lady de Bruce and the young ladies the mid- 
dle of next month. If we have fair wind and weather, 
hope to reach Carlisle about the first week in August — 
in ample time for the delightful outing the Earl is 
planning, of which you made mention in your last 
letter, and of which he spoke to me while here for a 

brief hour’ It seems, Mrs. Macleod, that his visit 

to Paris was but brief What a fairy place is Paris, 

mother — bright and gay! How lively the people, as 
they hurry along the broad boulevards or sit eating 
and chatting at the little tables on the pavement out- 
side the restaurants. The day before leaving Paris 
my cousins and I spent some hours in the charming 
pleasure garden in the Champs Elysees, and had a 
fine dash through the Bois de Boulogne. How fine the 
marble statues, the sparkling fountains in the Place de 
la Concorde! France! Sunny France! How I love 
dear, sunny France! En route to the chateau we 
passed a village where the people were celebrating 
St. Anne’s day with a feast ; all gaily dressed. There 
was a procession of children and nuns, headed by the 
village priest, who manifested much respect as my 
uncle’s equippage passed by them.’ ” 

While thus Lady Hawren was engaged in reading 
to Mrs. Macleod Kathryn’s letter, Flora sat in the 
study pouring over a book. She and Annie had been 
practicing a duet. Now Annie sat in “Lady Mar- 
garet’s boudoir” strumming on the spinnet ; now and 
then her voice joined with the chords in a lonely man- 
ner, as if ennuye. Rising, she stepped outside in the 
long colonnade and, turning suddenly, she saw Mr. 
Brignol stand beside the old rosebush, just where he 
had stood on their first meeting. She paused sud- 
denly, saying: 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


m 

“Oh, Mr. Brignol ; this reminds me of our first 
meeting.” 

“Miss Hamilton, do you remember that occasion?” 

“Yes, sir ; I do. And must say I recall it with shame 
and mortification.” 

“Why should it shame you to think of it? Will 
you not come down and let us wander in the garden 
while you shall tell me?” 

“Tell you, indeed ! I should think you knew enough 
of it already.” 

“No, no ! I do not. Come, let us go where ‘The 
winking mary-buds begin to ope their eyes, and we’ll 
find a bank whereon the wild thyme blows, Where 
ox-lips and the nodding violet grows ; quite over- 
canopied with lush woodbine, With sweet musk-roses 
and with eglantine.’ ” 

“Irresistible !” she exclaimed. He continued : 

“Now the resplendant sun is sinking in the west 
>> 

“Truly, Mr. Brignol — in the west?” she returned, 
in a bantering way. 

“Bathing the — the — scenery — the surroundings — 

that is, the garden Miss Hamilton, your bit of 

irony has confused my extemporizing sense in 

a sea of glory,” he concluded. 

“How enticing! Resistance is no longer possible. 
I feel that I must come.” She held out her hands to 
him. He ran lightly up the steps and gallantly led 
her down, and drew her hand within his arm. They 
walked a little way in silence, then he said: 

“You must have taken me for someone else.” 

“Yes ; I took you to be the Baron of Weirwolf,” 
she returned, “and we had all been made to believe 
him a most fearful villain — a perfect outlaw, and 

>> 

“I looked like one, no doubt,” he said. She smiled 
up in his face and continued ; 


320 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“And strict orders had been given every one to not 
permit him to enter ; for, should he gain access to the 
Earl’s room, he — the old Earl — would be instantly and 
foully murdered before our very eyes.” 

“ ’Twas my Lord Graeme who made this impres- 
sion?” 

“ ’Twas he made us believe my Lord Clifton a per- 
fect monster. Yes! He kept four of his own men 
stationed in the great hall; some were in the court- 
yard, and others — oh, everywhere. We lived in per- 
fect terror lest his Lordship of Weirwolf should force 
an entrance and dispatch the noble old Earl of Fleet- 
wood, and possibly all the rest of us. I now perceive 
his Lordship has been horribly maligned. As we 
ladies were occupying Lady Margaret’s suite of apart- 
ments, just at the entrance from the back courtyard — 
Madame was teaching the young ladies there — Lord 
Graeme put us on our guard not to allow anyone to 
pass, or let it be known should anyone attempt to 
pass in.” 

“Lord Graeme laid his plans deep. He gained some- 
thing, but not all he had hoped for,” said Guy. They 
now reached the bower, and, seating them upon a 
rustic seat, he said : 

“Yes ; I well remember our first meeting.” 

“Indeed! You must have thought me a bold and 
fiery young lady.” 

“I cannot say that I did.” 

“I dare say you would not tell me what you thought 
and said about me,” she said, jestingly. 

“I only wish that I had courage — that I dared tell 
you. His Lordship could tell you what I said, and 
I would be glad to have you know what I thought of 
you.” 

“Surely no one could tell it better than yourself, 
Mr. Brignol. “You know what kind of an impression 
you had of me, and just what you said to the Earl 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


321 

about me. Truly, if you are willing that I should 
know, you could tell it yourself.” 

“Really, Miss Hamilton, I fear you would not like 
to have me repeat it.” 

“Then you must certainly have said something dis- 
agreeable of me.” 

“I protest ! I never did ; but said of you just what 
I still think.” 

“And what is that, Mr. Brignol?” 

“You will not be angry?” 

“Possibly not. Oh, tell me ; what was it?” 

“That you were the — the most magnificent and 
charming of women.” 

“No; fie, fie, now, Mr. Brignol. I am sure you 
thought nor said anything of the kind.” 

“Indeed I did, though ; and can truly say I still 
think so. And I said your voice ” 

“Well, what of my voice?” 

“That you had a charming voice, that ‘came o’er 
my ear like the sweet south wind that breathes upon 
a bank of violets, stealing and giving odor.’ ” 

“No, no! Did you, then, say such sweet things? 
What else? Pray, what more said you?” she asked, 
eagerly. “Remember all you thought and said then 
you adhere to now.” 

“Yes; oh yes! I do avow it! I said you were 
queenly in your indignation.” 

“Did I indeed look queenly?” 

“You did.” 

“Pray, proceed.” 

“That you had tresses dark as midnight, eyes like a 
raven’s wing ” 

“Ah !” 

“ and lips, ruby lips, that were made to 

made for ” He paused, gazing into her eyes. 

“There! You cannot say that you still adhere to 
all this, Mr. Brignol.” 


322 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“I do affirm it.” 

“You are trying to tease me, and have almost suc- 
ceeded in your effort.” 

“Never! Never! I was never more earnest, and 
can add even more now than I then thought and said, 
but fear ’twill vex thy soul to hear that I would 
speak.” 

“Pray, what more now can you say? You have ex- 
hausted your vocabulary on beauty.” 

“Truly, then, I can take up another subject.” 

“What subject, pray?” 

“That of love.” 

“Indeed! What can you say on that subject?” 
she asked, a little flurried. 

“May I tell you all?” 

“Yes ; tell me.” 

“And you will not resent it?” he asked, eagerly. 

“Surely not; if you really mean it,” she replied 
softly, with downcast eyes. 

“Mean it? I do mean it! I love you, Annie!” 

“Are you quite sure, Mr. Brignol? How long will 
your love last?” 

“There is no doubt about it. Last? 

‘Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, 

But bears it out even to the edge of doom ! 

And is an ever fixed mark, 

That looks on tempests and is never shaken.* 

“Annie, I have loved you from the very first. Now, 
are you angry?” 

“No, sir. On the contrary, I am very happy.” 

“Then dare I hope that you will, some day, reward 
me with your love?” 

“Hope nothing of the kind ; look not to the future 

it 

“Not hope, Annie? What then, am I to do?” he 
cried in dismay. But, catching a merry twinkle in 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


323 

her eye, he asked, anxiously: “What, then, may I 
hope or believe? Tell me true.” 

“Hope that I love you now! Believe that you do 
now possess all my love.” 

“Dare I? Oh, dare I hope so much? Noble creat- 
ure, dearest of all ! And may I hope that you will 
be mine — my very own?” possessing himself of her 
hand and giving it a tender pressure. 

“Oh, yes,” she murmured softly, as he ventured to 
encircle her waist with his arm, and asked tenderly: 

“Then shall we not soon wed, sweet Annie; my 
own ?” 

“Not soon.” 

“Yes, yes! Oh, yes! 

“ ‘Before the hoary-headed frosts shall 
Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose/ 

We shall wedded be.” 

“There now, you are hasty, sir; not before Christ- 
mas — or October, to say the very least !” 

“Then, dearest, must I so long wait? Haply, in the 
meantime, I will 

“ ‘Think on thee, and then my state, 

Like to the lark at break of day arising 

From sullen earth — sings hymns, at Heaven’s gate, 
bethinking on our wedded love.” 

# # 4 s 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

THE OLD CASTLE. 

“Without a ruin; broken, tangled, cumbrous. 
Within it was a little paradise.” 

The ruins of an old castle, built in a remote period, 
situated on a slight promontory reaching out into the 
Solway Firth, insomuch that the sea lay on two sides 


3 2 4 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


of it, were exceedingly picturesque and interesting, 
having once been a Danish fortress or stronghold. 
Then a famous monastic seat, where stood the ‘'won- 
derful old stone church, erected by St. Minian, in 
the dim and shadowy twilight of the introduction of 
Christianity.” And afterwards, for many years and 
generations, the princely residence of the noble an- 
cestors of the Cliftons. The original structure had 
been almost demolished, then rebuilt and added to 
from time to time to meet the demands of its in- 
habibants, but still rested upon its original founda- 
tion, and exhibited many incongruities in its massive 
architecture. A large, square tower still stood amid 
the crumbling walls. There were fragmentary re- 
mains of other edifices also, which had been enclosed 
within one outer wall of great circuit. The many ad- 
ditions which had been made to the old castle gave to 
it a combination of early Roman and Gothic styles. 
Of the ruinous portion, survived the aforesaid square 
tower and the crumbling walls of the west wing, with 
its subterraneous basements or vaults. There were 
great arches, long windows, stair steps and decayed 
walls of rugged gray stone — all ivy-grown — present- 
ing a remarkably romantic appearance. 

The walls of the stone church or chapel, with 
shafted windows, stood between the castle and the 
sea, on the north — on the very brink — and even ap- 
peared to be pending over the turgid waters of the 
arm of the sea that rolled below. In the more modern, 
or inhabitable, portion of the castle, on the south and 
east, was found room enough to comfortably house 
all the persons of quality and immediate attendants. 
The servants, in preference to the basement rooms, 
where, it was said, ghosts had been seen to stalk 
abroad, took quarters in tents, while yet others took 
shelter beneath large trees. On the west there was a 
gentle slope towards the sea, covered with fine trees, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


325 


lovely groves, lichens, firs and creepers, with broad 
vistas leading among shrubs and jungles of flowers, 
to the sandy beach. Where once had been a gate in 
front of the great hall, two huge old beech trees stood 
in most friendly relation, inclining toward each other 
their branches interlaced overhead. Beneath, the 
greensward was smooth and soft as a carpet of vel- 
vet. Here rustic seats of various kinds had been ar- 
ranged for the comfort and pleasure of the guests. 

It was evening hour. The sun was sinking down 
toward the sea, soon to leave all in mellow twilight. 
The men had gathered beneath the old trees, and 
there sat resting from the hurried trip from Fleet- 
wood, which had been made since noon, discussing 
religion and politics, Reverend Mr. Galbraith, the 
visiting clergyman, discussing agreeably with Mr. 
Hayston. Within the entrance hall sat a group of 
ladies, but the restless damsels or nymphs, as they 
now preferred to call themselves, had strolled forth 
from the romantic ruins toward the seaside, where 
soon they were joined by Rorey and Julien. They 
were charmed to find a lovely glade, where flowed 
a little fountain gushing from beneath a hard rock. 
Here they warbled in cadences, soft and low, some 
snatches of song, while culling bright flowers along 
the rippling streamlet. The murmur of merry voices 
and happy laughter were wafted on the gentle breeze 
to the group seated in the shadow beneath the great 
trees ; also to those in doors. 

“How happy they are,” said Mrs. O’Neal, for at 
her nephew’s urgent request she and Nora had come 
from Edinburgh to spend some months with Lady 
Hawren and Kathryn. 

“Yes, yes,” said Lady de Bruce; “how very con- 
siderate of the Earl to arrange such a nice treat for 
us all. I feel sure it will do me much good, this out- 
ing on the seaside.” 


326 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“I feel that I shall be much benefited myself, after 
having been shut up in Edinburgh for so long a time,” 
replied Mrs. O’Neal. 

“Indeed !” said Lady Hawren, “the Earl is the most 
considerate person I ever knew. He arrived from 
London only last week, and after spending but two 
days with us set out for Solway Moss, where the Lord 
Lieutenant had just stationed my nephew, Captain 
Arranton, with a body of soldiers, to keep down the 
smugglers, who are getting very troublesome along 
the coast, to procure leave of absence and fetch him 
whom Kathryn and I have not seen since we left. 
America — to see us, and spend the time we are here 
with us, only arriving, as you know, ladies, just in 
time to lunch with us and join our party hither; say- 
ing to me as we were about starting : ‘What a bless- 
ing, dear aunt, to be enabled once again to breathe 
the fresh air of field and forest for some weeks of 
the summer/ He is charmed to get back once more. 
The servants have for two weeks been busy decking 
up this old deserted castle for our pleasure and com- 
fort/’ 

“It is his good breeding that inculcates self-denial 
or consideration for others. He is the personification 
of civility and charity,” said Lady de Bruce. 

“I assure you, he has made quite a success of it, 
for everything appears to be perfectly arranged for 
the comfort of all,” observed Mrs. O’Neal. 

“How thoughtful, too,” said Lady Hawren; “he 
has had the ladies’ apartments arranged on the first 
floor, saying it would be easier on them not to have 
the long stairways to climb.” 

“That was indeed thoughtful of him, was it not, 
Mary?” returned Lady de Bruce. 

“Indeed, yes ; since we are here for a rest, it seems 
just the thing,” replied Mrs. O’Neal. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


327 


“True!” exclaimed Lady Hawren. “We will all be 
just here together, and never have to go upstairs for 
anything; adjacent to the library and sitting-room. 
He has had choice books placed here for the comfort 
of those who would pass a little time in reading. Only 
peep in the library here, ladies, and satisfy yourselves 
of its cosiness,” said Lady Hawren, as she rose and 
lifted the drapery. The other women stepped in the 
room and admired the arrangement — the long rows of 
shelves containing many handsome and useful vol- 
umes, brought from the library at Fleetwood. A 
library table stood in the centre of the room ; a com- 
fortable crimson velvet sofa was stationed near a 
window; and there were chairs and other articles for 
the comfort of the ladies. The floor was covered 
with robes or skins of soft fur. Now they pass into 
the drawing-room, nothing intervening save the hand- 
some Persian drapery. This room was carpeted with 
a Persian rug and supplied with table, chairs, sofas 
and many soft and beautiful Oriental cushions. 

“Oh !” exclaimed Lady de Bruce, “here is everything 
desirable for a two weeks’ sojourn at the seaside.” 

“Now,” said Lady Hawren, “we will look into the 
temporary bedrooms, which his Lordship has had pre- 
pared in this old building for us.” 

On the right of the drawing-room, partitioned off 
by hangings only, was a suite of three rooms — two of 
these had been furnished as bedrooms, the other as 
a dressing-room, between them, to serve the occupants 
of both rooms. 

“This suite is for the use of Lady Hawren and her 
daughter,” explained Mrs. Macleod, who had now 
joined them, and who had preceded them to the old 
castle several days, that she might superintend the 
arranging of the rooms. “And now, Lady de Bruce, 
I will take pleasure in showing you and Mrs. O’Neal 
the rooms which have been arranged and set aside 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


328 

for you on the opposite side of the hall.” And she 
led them across the hall, where by the aid of rich 
tapestry four suites of three rooms each had been 
created in a great old hall, possibly in former times a 
banquetting hall. The first suite from the entrance 
hall had been set apart for Lord and Lady de Bruce ; 
the second, for the Misses Bruneaugh and Miss Ham- 
ilton ; the third, for Mrs. O’Neal and Nora ; while the 
fourth was intended for Mrs. MacLeod and Flora. 

“His Lordship gave directions for all this arrange- 
ment himself. He came by on his way to Solway 
Moss and stopped to see that all things had been done 
according to his orders, was well pleased, and pointed 
out the suite for each couple,” said Mrs. Macleod. 

“How very kind and thoughtful of him,” said Lady 
de Bruce. 

They next came to an open corridor, leading out 
to the ruinous portion of the old castle; at the left 
of this they peered into the temporary dining-hall, 
luxuriously hung with old tapestry and fitted up sump- 
tuously. Still farther to their left, in the end of the 
great hall, was a collection of arms and accouter- 
ments for the chase, or protection against outlaws or 
thieves. There hung buff coats and broadswords, pis- 
tols and sporting arms, as well as some more for- 
midable looking warlike pieces. 

“The cooking is all done in a basement below the 
dining-hall,” continued Mrs. Macleod. “There is none 
of the ruinous portion of the old castle in use ; that lies 
on the north and west of the inhabitable part. The 
clergymen and the young men are well provided for 
upstairs.” 

After this tour of inspection the ladies returned and 
sat in the hall, which had an east front, looking out 
on the great beech trees, under which sat the men. 
Lady de Bruce and Mrs. O’Neal sat together on a 
sofa in a most friendly relation, arms entwined about 


: EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


329 


each other's waist. Mrs. O’Neal had recently come 
from Edinburgh to Carlisle, and had accompanied 
Lord de Bruce’s family to the old castle. 

“You, Lady de Bruce and Mrs. O’Neal have long 
been friends, I suppose,” observed Lady Hawren, 
seating herself opposite them. 

“Oh, yes, indeed!” replied Lady de Bruce, with a 
deep sigh — “one who proves herself a friend in time 
of affliction and great need is truly a friend, and such 
has Mary O’Neal proven herself to me.” 

“Then, you, Lady de Bruce, as well as the most 
of us, know what affliction is, and have suffered from 
its inexorable hand.” 

“Yea, Lady Hawren; but few have been called to 
undergo such an affliction as was forced upon me 
seventeen years ago — is it not, Mary? — since my little 
Marjorie was lost to me?” 

“Eighteen, my dear friend; it was very soon after 
my marriage when you sent for me and Lieutenant 
O’Neal to come to you in your distress. We were 
strangers then, but were thrown together in such a 
manner as to become the fastest friends, Lady Haw- 
ren,” said Mrs. O’Neal. 

“How lost, Lady de Bruce — your child lost — by 
death?” asked Lady Hawren, sympathetically. 

“No, Lady Hawren! Stolen from my fond em- 
brace, to be carried away among strangers, we know 
not whither.” 

“Oh,” cried Lady Hawren, “worse than death!” 

“Ah, my Lady; worse than death!” echoed Lady 
de Bruce sadly. 

“Lieutenant O’Neal and I had but recently married, 
and he, being in command of a company in Colonel 
Lord de Bruce’s regiment, was stationed near the 
place where Lady de Bruce was then residing, on 
the coast of Ayrshire,” said Mrs. O’Neal. “I went 
immediately to her, and Lieutenant O’Neal, with a 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


330 

company, went to capture, if possible, a band of 
gypsies, or smugglers, and find the child. I remained 
with her two months, while they scoured the country, 
to no avail; the child was never found. A pirate’s 
vessel, or one taken for such, had left the coast just 
at the time the child disappeared, and it was thought 
most probable they had taken her.” 

“No reason for such villainy could ever be sur- 
mised,” said Lady de Bruce, unless it was intended 
to extort ransom, but we never heard aught of it. 
The search was kept up for years, but to no avail. 

At this juncture Captain Arranton entered. Our 
Edwin, for it was he, had grown tall and handsome, 
wearing a sparkling uniform, military boots, a sword 
clanking at his heels, a slight moustache, his dark 
hair neatly tied in a queue with a blue ribbon, carry- 
ing in his hand a broad hat with feather. He had 
been granted a Captain’s commission and placed by 
the Lord Lieutenant in command of a company of 
reserve militia at Solway Moss, headquarters of coast 
defense against smugglers, who were becoming very 
bold in this region. Beyond a doubt the Earl of 
Fleetwood had a hand in placing him here. 

Bowing to the ladies, whom he had already met, 
having that morning accompanied Mrs. O’Neal and 
Lady de Bruce from Carlisle, and lunched with them 
after arriving at Fleetwood, where they remained 
only a short time before starting to the old castle, 
he took a seat beside his aunt. The ladies appearing 
sad, he tried to cheer them, then sat listening to the 
nymphs as they warbled a song or strayed in happy 
converse and laughter. Suddenly, “as rosy eve fell 
o’er the blushing wave,” there came from out the dark 
ruins a low, sweet song, for one of the fair nymphs 
alone had strayed amid those ruins, and in great de- 
light at beholding the golden sunset over the sea, for- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 331 

got all else and the melody of her rich voice rose 
softly in an evening hymn. 

“Surely,” cried Lady Hawren, as they listened in- 
tently, “surely these old minstrel halls, which for long 
ages have slumbered, have awakened to life again!” 

“I thought the nymphs were all in the wood?” said 
Lady de Bruce. 

“It seems that one of them, at least, has strayed 
amid the ruins,” observed Mrs. O’Neal. Captain 
Arranton rose, saying: 

“Methinks I will even now seek out this one who 
warbles so well and sweetly ’mid the growing shad- 
ows. Hers must, indeed, be a bold spirit to wander 
thus alone amid the ghostly ruins. I shall at least 
endeavor to explore this classic abode and discover, 
if possible, the sweet siren who pours forth her soul 
in such rich and melodious strain.” He walked man- 
fully down the long hall, then, turning to his right, 
betook him down the long stone corridor leading to 
the ruins. 

Two pairs of eyes followed the young Captain, ex- 
pressive of much interest, respectively — one regarding 
him anxiously, the other with a look of gratified pride. 

“Flora did not go with the other girls, Mrs. Mac- 
leod?” asked Lady Hawren, anxiously. 

“I believe not, my Lady, for that is her voice, T 
perceive,” replied Mrs. Macleod. 

“She loves solitude, perhaps,” remarked Lady de 
Bruce. 

“At least, my Lady, she has been forced to endure 
much of it,” returned Mrs. Macleod. 

“Until it may have become habitual,” observed Mrs. 
O’Neal. 

Flora, instead of going with the other young ladies, 
had strayed alone down the corridor to a ruinous 
hall, with broken-down walls, overlooking the sea. 


33 2 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Here, charmed with the glorious sunset, all else for- 
gotten, she warbled her gentle lay. 

Captain Arranton, proceeding down the rough 
stone corridor, charmed with the sweet strain, glid- 
ing with alacrity in the direction whence it came, 
very soon had a view of the fair singer. He paused 
to observe her while his mental ejaculations ran thus: 

“Ye Gods ! St. Cecilia robed in white ! What a 
vision of beauty ! Spirit or human ? Ethereal beauty ; 
fair, golden-haired! Virgin of Heaven!” 

She stood, leaning on a broken column, looking over 
the main — a creature of graceful form and superior 
beauty. As the last notes of that sweet hymn to the 
dying day fell on his ear, Captain Arranton ap- 
proached. A heaven-lent glory shone over the land- 
scape. Evening never looked serenely upon a more 
calm and lovely scene. His sabre striking against a 
stone, rang out clearly. Quickly she turned, with a 
startled look. Doffing his gold-laced military hat, he 
made a courtly bow. She curtsied, and drew back 
against the crumbling wall, covered with a mass of 
blooming flowers and glossy foliage, which dropped 
in warm cascades of glowing color about the lovely 
white-gowned figure. 

“Juno or Hebe? What goddess have we here?” he 
asked, approaching nearer. 

“My name is Flora, sir,” she said, simply, in a voice 
soft and low as the purling brooklet. 

“Ah, the goddess of flowers ; quite appropriate — 
noting the crimson trumpet-flowers floating cares- 
singly over her head, as she shrank still further amid 
the rank ramblers. “I knew ’twas some diety, and 
felt I should kneel and render divine honors. Watch 
you here for bright Hesperus to make his appear- 
ance ? Or mayhap you have a lover on board yon little 
brig-like barque that for some hours past has lurked 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


333 


upon the hushed waters.” She blushed vividly, say- 
ing: 

”1 have no lover, sir!” 

“No lover, fair one ! Then it shall be my gentle 
office to seek one for you. Pray, come out from amid 
the flowers and lean upon my arm while we, prome- 
nading, shall survey the length and breadth of this 
vast and ancient hall, where none but Fays and 
Nymphs for years have trode.” 

She came, shyly, out from the leafy screen, and, 
leaning upon his arm, they began to pace slowly up 
and down the flagged floor. 

“I believe you were among the group of young 
ladies to whom I had the pleasure of being presented 
this morning in the great hall at Fleetwood, on my 
arrival at the castle? But you will pardon me when 
I admit that, being ushered into the presence of so 
many fair ones, all at once, I became so confused as 
not to remember your name.” 

“My name, Captain Arranton, is Flora Macleod,” 
she returned. 

“Ah, Miss Macleod, then I have had conferred on 
me the great pleasure of the acquaintance of one 
whose praises have oft to me been sung,” he said, 
courteously. 

“Ah! Pray, Captain Arranton, who has so kindly 
spoken to you in commendation of one so undeserving 
as myself?” she asked modestly. 

“I have never, Miss Macleod, received a letter from 
my fair Cousin Kathryn, in which she has failed to 
mention her 'darling friend Flora’ in the fondest eu- 
logy, and I must admit her encomiums have awakened 
within my heart the greatest desire to meet one who 
has thus been described to me in such glowing colors.” 

“I much fear, Captain Arranton, that my friend, 
Lady Kathryn, has done me an injustice to awaken 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


334 

expectations that can never be realized but must lead 
to disappointment.” 

“Not realized ! Methinks, Miss Macleod, that I can 
justly quote the words of the Queen of Sheba to the 
great King Solomon: ‘The half was never told me!’ 
You will pardon me for saying it, Flo — Miss Macleod. 
Oh, that I might call you Flora!” he said tenderly. 

“I’m sure you may, Captain Arranton ; it is the only 
name I have been accustomed to of late, and I pre- 
fer it.” 

“Of late! Pray, what were you formerly called?” 

“I must decline to tell you now, Captain ; but may 
tell you sometime, when we are better acquainted.” 

“Oh, I daresay ’tis some sweet love name ! And you 
will tell me sometime ?” 

“Yes, sir; perhaps.” 

“No! No perhaps; no uncertainty! I must know 
it, sometime. Will you not promise me it shall be 
so?” 

“Yes, sir; I promise,” she said, with a bewildering 
smile. 

“Thank you, Flora,” he said, with a courtly bow ; 
“a downright promise, without condition ; I like that.” 

Amid the hanging foliage that perfumed the walls 
they paused, and, looking out over the sea, beheld a 
witching little isle, bathed in the gentle twilight, where 
a few tall trees lifted their leafy heads amid the rifting 
clouds. The moon, only a few evenings old, was 
smiling through the branches, and vying with gentle 
twilight for an undisputed ascendancy. 

“Shall we not go boating sometime to yon lovely 
little isle?” he asked. 

“Perhaps,” she said demurely. 

“Oh, say ‘sometime’ !” 

“Sometime,” she repeated, with a charming naivete. 

“Oh, that glorious ‘sometime’ ; what happiness it 
holds for me !” he exclaimed, smiling on her beaming 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


335 


face. And now they see the nymphs returning, flower- 
laden, from the glen, and heard the murmuring of 
soft voices in the distance ; and mingling with the 
soft notes of a lute, Louis’ voice rose in song on the 
balmy air, for he and Guy had soon joined the stray- 
ing nymphs in the flowery glen. Louis sings: 

“Naiads, Nereiads, Nymphs and fountains, 
Goddesses of groves and mountains, 

Fair and sable, great and small 
Yes! I swear I love them all! 

Soon was ever passion over, 

I was but the moment’s lover; 

Oh! I’m such a roving elf, 

That the queen of love herself, 

Tho’ she practiced all her wiles. 

Rosy blushes, wreathed smiles, 

All her beauty’s proud endeavor 
Could not chain my heart forever.” 

Hearing dinner announced, Flora murmured gently : 
“Let us go.” 

“How can I leave this charming retreat, where I 
have been so happy?” he returned. 

Reaching the great hall, where all had now gath- 
ered, he led her to a sofa, and would have seated him- 
self beside her; but, making him a curtsey, she ran 
away among the nymphs to see their flowers. 

Lady Hawren was arranging the couples for the 
dining room, and did not observe their entrance. Lord 
Phantomfell permitted no arrangement to thwart his 
determination to escort Lady Hawren, herself, on 
every occasion. For since he had been rejected by 
Miss Bruneaugh, and also by Rosa, he had transferred 
his most ardent affections to Lady Hawren, to whom, 
he declared to Louis, he had never seen any lady com- 
parable in beauty, elegance or refinement ; and in age 
she would just suit his requirements, he being a bach- 
elor of thirty ; and he would not be persuaded that she 
was a day over that most desirable age. 


33 ^ 


I EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Somehow Lady Hawren managed to have Edwin 
attend Miss Bruneaugh to dinner. 

After dinner had been enjoyed by the hungry party, 
they determined to spend the first evening rambling 
among the ruins, as the moon was high overhead and 
would continue to shine until full midnight ; and many 
of the old walls had fallen away, leaving the smooth 
stone floor open to the moonlight, affording a fine 
place for promenading. 

CHAPTER XXX. 

THE GHOST. 

“ ’Tis at such a time and hour, 

Wizzard, witch and fiend have power; 

And ghostly forms, thro’ mist and shower, 

Gleam on the gifted ken.” 

Now all had gathered on the flagged floor, where 
Edwin and Flora had first met, only a few hours 
before. Lord Phantomfell had sauntered off with 
Miss Bruneaugh. Annie and Guy stood near a crum- 
bling wall, looking over the sea. Nora, who was now 
grown to be almost a young lady; Rorey, Rosa and 
Julien, took hands and darted about hither and thither, 
Louis vainly trying to keep pace with them. Kathryn 
and her dear friend Flora were hanging on the arms 
of Captain Arranton, while the other ladies, Lord de 
Bruce, the Earl, the clergyman, Mrs. Macleod, the 
maids, and some of the attendants, formed an inter- 
esting and interested group. Now Annie stands upon 
the brink of a ruined wall, the better to view the little 
isle. Guy, holding her hand lest she should fall, 
quotes : 

“Night, sable goddess from her ebon throne, 

In rayless majesty now stretches forth her laden sceptre 
O’er a slumbering world!” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


33 7 


“Mr. Brignol ! What an inappropriate quotation !” 
exclaimed Annie. “Behold the bright-faced moon, 
beaming benignantly upon us, dispelling the sable- 
mantled Queen ” 

“Methinks,” said Louis, approaching them, “there 
are here some ghostly manifestations.” 

“Why, Mr. Kearney ; you must be a firm believer in 
ghosts ! Saw you ever one ?” asked Annie. 

“Never, Miss Annie.” The trio now coming up, 
Kathryn asked : 

“What would you do, Louis, should some gaunt and 
fiery-eyed spectre appear from yon dark recess behind 
the broken wall?” 

“ 'From elves, hobs and fairies defend us, good 
Heaven !’ ” quoted Louis. 

The Earl now joins the group, with Lord Phan- 
tomfell and Miss Augusta Bruneaugh. Kathryn, still 
clinging to Edwin’s arm, asks of the Earl : 

“My Lord, have you ever seen a ghost?” 

“No, my Lady; but I have been where, it is said, 
unhallowed spirits with many a shriek and cry, rush 
undisturbed through dark and deserted chambers.” 

“Humph ! Damme !” said Phantomfell, taking 
snuff. 

“Oh, my Lord, tell us of it !” cried Kathryn. 

“Yes, my Lord,” said Flora; “and did not you see 
one ?” 

“No, I did not, Flora; had I been permitted to see 
one, then might I tell you a true ghost story. How- 
beit, I will relate to you thus much of one: I once 
visited the old castle of Holm Peel on the Isle of Man, 
where the Earl of Warwick had once been confined; 
and here, too, Eleanor, wife of the Duke of Gloucester, 
spent the last days of her banishment. The sentinels 
told us that her discontented spirit — her spectre — was 
often seen at midnight, walking about the battlements, 
standing beside a solitary turret, or on a broken wall — « 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


338 

as Miss Hamilton now stands — but always vanished 
at cock crow ” 

With a little shriek Annie bounded from her posi- 
tion on the wall. 

“My Lord,” she cried, “who would ever think of 
you trying to frighten a lady so !” And Louis 
chimed in : 

“ Tis now the very witching time of night, when 
churchyard yawns! 

Some howl, some yell 9 ” 

“Oh-00, Louis ! How you terrify me !” cried Kath- 
ryn. Flora and Miss Augusta shrieked. Lord Phan- 
tomfell took a pinch of snuff from his jeweled snuff- 
box. Annie said : 

“I feel they glance from every dark corner and 
crevice of these old and ruined walls.” 

“Humph!” continued Phantomfell. “Humph! Only 
think of it ; afraid of a shadow ! Damme !” 

“Captain Arranton,” said the Earl, “allow me to 
relieve you of one of your friends. I will assist you 
in protecting the timid ones amid these ghostly sur- 
roundings. Lady Kathryn, if you will but lean upon 
my arm I will take the utmost pleasure in protecting 
you from the fiery-eyed spectre, and show you all the 
beauties of this splendid old place.” Walking on, they 
soon came to what appeared to be an interminable 
jungle of ivy, flaming with bloom. 

“Here are some steps,” said Kathryn. “Oh, behold! 
A stairway covered with blooming ivy !” 

“Yes ; an old stairway,” said the Earl. 

“A stairway in the ruins, covered with ivy! Flora, 
let’s name it the witches’ stairway.” 

“Very well, Lady Kathryn,” she replied; “a very 
appropriate name.” 

“Yes, call it so; a suitable name methinks,” said 
Edwin, “for I daresay there are many witches now 
hidden among the vines. So we’ll go on, Flora.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


339 


Kathryn, who stood nearest the vines — quite near the 
steps — uttered a little shriek, and drew back. Edwin 
laughed merrily, and he and Flora strolled on. 

“You are nervous, my Lady,” said the Earl. 

“I own that I am, my Lord ; and that boy has fright- 
ened me so! Then all this talk of ghosts, too. I am 
all a-tremble,” she said nervously. 

“Let me assure you there is nothing here to harm 
you, my cousin,” he said, thrusting and probing among 
the vines with his sword-in-scabbard to reassure her. 
“Shall we not sit here on the steps a while?” They 
sat down amid the vines, the moonlight falling softly 
through on her hair, her face, and her hands. Her 
cheeks were like the mingling tints of snowy milk and 
blushing rose. He thought the liquid light from her 
melting eye, 

“Soft as the broken solar beam 
That trembles in the azure stream." 

Her beauty was bewildering to the Earl, who had 
not met her until to-day, and that in the presence of 
others, since the night of the fete at her uncle’s in 
Paris. And he said ardently : 

“Oh, my cousin, how inexpressible is my joy to find 
myself once more beside you ! Do you remember our 
last meeting?” 

“In Paris? Oh, I shall never forget it! How long 
ago it is !” 

“Near five months. Did you enjoy Paris?” 

“Oh, so much ! I was charmed ; but to be away 
irom mother and — all; oh ” 

“It is, to me, a weary penance to be forced from 
your presence, even for one hour. Think, oh, think, 
what a lasting grief your long absence has been!” he 
said softly. 


340 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


'‘You did not miss me?” she queried. 

“Miss you! Oh, so much! But this is like the 
breaking of a new day over a dull world, banishing all 
darkness, to be once more permitted to enjoy the 
sunny glow of your countenance. Your presence 
brings life to my soul, awakening anew feelings of 
happiness. Blissful happiness!” Her lips trembled 
with suppressed emotion ; she was very nervous, as 
she said sweetly, looking into his eyes : 

“If I had it in my power, I would make — my friends 
happy always.” 

“Sweet cousin, it is perfect happiness, once more to 
hear your silvery voice, on whose breath, more sweet 
than that of siren, my fondest hopes are suspended,” 
he murmured, while, not only his eloquent lips but his 
sparkling eye, the story of his love reveals. 

Now a terrific crash and the clanking of chains 
startles their ear. 

“Ha! What’s that?” asked Louis, not far off. 

“See to it, boys !” said the Earl. 

“What can it be?” cried Louis, still gazing toward 
the spot whence had proceeded the sound. 

“What ! Louis, fear you to seek out the mystery ?” 
exclaimed Guy, leaving Annie and starting forward. 

“No, Guy ; I fear none but ‘earthly spirits black and 
envious.’ ” 

And, stepping forward, he cried out tragically : 
“ ‘How now, you secret black and midnight hags ! 
What is it you do ?’ ” Another tremendous crash is all 
the answer; and Louis stops short. All stand spell- 
bound with wonder and astonishment. 

“My heart warns me ’tis something preternatural,” 
said Guy, who had paused behind Louis. 

“What! Only see!” cried Louis, pointing. “A 
ghostly spectre!” 

And just above a broken wall was seen a gaunt and 
sheeted form with fiery eyes glowering upon them, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


34i 


moving along the wall and wringing its hands as it 
glided along ; then, turning, it glided back toward the 
spot where first seen, with chains clanking at every 
step. 

“I’ve heard that ghosts never speak the first word/' 
Guy said, in a whisper. “Suppose we speak to it, 
Louis.” 

“Fire in, then, Guy; I have addressed it once al- 
ready.” 

“‘What sheeted ghost is wand’ring thro the storm? 

For never did maid of middle earth choose such a time 
or spot to vent her sorrows.’ ” 

“Hist, Guy! There’s no storm, boy!” whispered 
Louis. 

“Well, Shakespeare says storm, and so say I,” re- 
turned Guy. 

The sheeted form paused, and, raising its hands, 
cried out distinctly : 

“Woe, woe! Why come ye hither to disturb the 
spirits that have long lain at rest? Depart! Depart, 
or woe will overtake you !” 

“Go !” cried Louis, with a wave of his hand. 
“Avaunt, thou unhallowed spirit! Vanish!” The 
spirit instantly vanished, with a rattling of chains. 

“It makes my blood run cold,” said Guy ; “ ‘and my 
hair to stand on end.’ ” 

Now there was a wild scene. Some of the ladies 
shrieked, others fainted outright; the maids huddled 
together, falling into each other’s arms and hiding 
their faces. Kathryn, at the first crash, was thrown 
into a terror, and when she beheld the spectre she cried 
out, swaying in her seat amid the vines. The Earl, 
supposing she had swooned, sustained her in his arms, 
holding her close to his breast, while listening to what 
was said. Then as the ghost vanished, recalling some 
lines from Muretus, murmured softly in her ear ; 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


342 


“Now I again may clasp thee, dearest, 

What is there now on earth thou fearest? 

Again these loving arms enfold thee, 

Again, my rose, again I hold thee!” 

She had not fainted, but heard the murmured words 
of his silver-toned voice; and, trembling violently, 
struggled to free herself ; then said : 

“Oh, please, my Lord ! I am so terrified — I ” 

“Yes, yes, darling; I know! Be not frightened. It 
is, no doubt, some of the servants, who, having been 
given much liberty on this occasion, have taken advan- 
tage of this fact to give us a little fright. But, dear- 
est, I will protect you,” he said, as he released her re- 
luctantly and pressed her hand. 

At the appearance of the ghost Flora had left Ed- 
win and fled to her mother in great terror, and buried 
her face in her bosom. Between Guy and Louis Annie 
had stood, not the least daunted, the bravest spirit 
among the ladies, but spellbound with astonishment. 
Miss Augusta appeared to swoon, but instead of lean- 
ing for support on Lord Phantomfell threw herself 
into the arms of Captain Arranton, who stood beside 
her. He had caught her in time to prevent her falling 
to the floor, he thought ; and held her while the spirit 
walked back and forth and spoke. She lay on his 
young bosom, a dead weight, her arms dangling over 
his shoulders. Edwin, being young, it had never be- 
fore fallen to his lot to support a lady in a swoon. He 
was, therefore, much confused and knew not how to 
dispose of his burden, when Louis, who was now has- 
tening to Rosa and Nora, who he feared were badly 
frightened in a far-off corner, at his earnest request 
came to his relief. They placed her gently on the 
stone floor, Edwin with some difficulty unclasping her 
arms from his neck. Louis, seizing the Captain’s gold- 
laced hat, which lay near by, to Edwin’s great dismay 
placed it beneath her head in lieu of a pillow. But the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


343 


wily Miss Augusta, who was not so unconscious but 
that she instantly perceived the difference between 
being supported on the breast of the handsome young 
Captain and lying on the cold flagged floor, regained 
consciousness at once, and sat up in a languid and most 
graceful attitude, with Captain Arranton’s crushed hat 
in her lap, which she was handling caressingly when 
he came to recover it. Now he assisted her to her 
feet, and she seized upon his arm, asking him if really 
there had appeared a spectre; she could remember 
nothing of it. Edwin lost no time in finding her a 
seat ; and making her a profound bow, went to seek 
his partner again, and found a quiet nook where he 
might pour forth the words of love now burning in 
his heart : 

“ ‘Oh, moonlight hour ! Holiest time for spirit of bliss, 

Was ever moonlight hour so sweet as this; 

To youthful heart in his first love !’ ” 

Louis soon found Rosa and Nora and the two 
youths, who had recoiled into a dark corner while the 
spirit walked the earth. Taking one of Rosa’s hands, 
he said, addressing both : “Were you frightened, 
ladies?” 

“Half out of our wits,” returned Nora, all a-trem- 
ble, clinging to both Rorey and Julien. 

“And you, little sweetheart ?” he said to Rosa, aside. 
“ ‘ ’Mid terrific sounds and spectres dim,’ were you 
much affrighted?” in a voice of unusual sweetness, 
pressing her soft and yielding hand. 

“Frightened, Master Louis? No! I whistled all 
the while.” 

“You ran away with Julien and left me, so I could 
not be with you. Why were you not frightened?” 

“Oh, I’m not one of your timid ones ; besides, Julien 
held me by the hand; and he wears a petit sword, 


344 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Master Louis. Then you did not care to be with me, 
anyway,” with a saucy glance. 

“Not care! Why, I felt drawn toward you all the 
time, as the needle is attracted toward the magnet. 
But you ran away, you witch ! My heart is as con- 
stant to you as the Persian nightingale is to the rose.” 

“Can you avow this by the stars that twinkle in the 
sky overhead?” she asked, a triumphant gleam in her 
upturned eyes, as she gazed into the soft clouds float- 
ing over. 

“By the stars, my Stormy Petrel, sweetheart!” he 
said, gazing on her upturned face, growing day by day 
more fascinating to him. 

Thus midnight drew on. The moon had reached 
the horizon, investing the scene with her last bright 
rays, throwing long shadows athwart the flagged 
floors, for she had attained her first quarter. 

From the quiet nook where Edwin had led her Flora, 
seeing the others preparing to repair to the hall, rose; 
and, sweeping him a curtsey, said : 

“Good-night, Captain Arranton!” 

“ ‘Good-night!’ Ah, must you say good-night? So 
short has been our stay in this enchanted spot !” 

“Good-night once more!” 

“Oh, repeat it o’er and o’er, till morning dawns, and 
still say good-night ! One minute — stay ! There is an 
age of joy in each moment while I listen to your 
voice ” 

“Good-night !” 

“Good-night!” he murmured, with a sigh, as she 
ran to join the other girls. And long after he had re- 
tired to rest he could still hear a sweet voice saying: 
“Good-night !” 

All repaired to the great hall where, after invoca- 
tion by the visiting clergyman, the pages on bended 
knee offered the midnight draft of sleep of richly 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


345 


spiced wines, served in gilded goblets from a massive 
bowl of silver. Then good-nights were spoken, and 
all retired to rest. 




CHAPTER XXXI. 


YOUNG LOVE. 

"Love rules the camp, the court, the grove, 

And men below, and saints above; 

For love is Heaven, and Heaven is love.” 

The first faint flush of dawn, dissipating the foggy 
canopy, crimsons the peaceful scene. The pale stars, 
gleaming, throw a silvery light upon the sea. The first 
sun’s rays awake the pert and nimble spirits of mirth. 
“The sparkling nymphs, gay buds of beauty,” are 
sporting on the lawny sands. Some are trying their 
skill with bow and arrows, a pastime much practised 
in those days ; others swang in great swings suspended 
from the outstretched arms of oaks. After a few 
hours Captain Arranton made his appearance among 
them, glorious in his superb military uniform, hand- 
somely groomed, attended by Silas, his black body- 
servant. In vain he tried to escape from Rosa, who 
kept him for nearly an hour, fetching her arrows, she 
shooting at random — just everywhere. Then he could 
but toss her for another hour, when she was minded 
to rest in one of the great swings. Then, after a long 
while, when he did gain his liberty, passing back and 
forth among the nymphs and looking all the while for 
one, he spied Flora with Nora, seated on a green, 
mossy bank aside from the others, their laps full of 
flowers, diligently selecting those of rich and delicate 
hue, and forming them into a bouquet. Nora rose, 
saying : 


EARL OP FLEETWOOD 


346 

“I will run and fetch more, Flora, while you arrange 
these.” And darted away. Captain Arranton ap- 
proached and gave Flora a cordial greeting ; and, toss- 
ing his hat on the mossy bank, dropped gracefully on 
one knee before her, and said : 

“Do I again find my goddess among the flowers ?” 

“Who is your goddess, pray, Captain?” 

“Flora ; she is my goddess.” Her pearly cheeks 
grew crimson. He gazed not on the bright flowers 
that at this moment seemed to engage all her atten- 
tion, but on the witchery of her bright face. 

“What call you this, my goddess of flowers?” he 
asked, selecting one, after watching her a while, as 
she deftly arranged a pretty bunch. 

“A lily, sir,” she said. 

“And those, of such dark, rich dies?” 

“Hyacinths, Captain.” 

“Think you, Flora, they were named in honor of 
Hyacinthus, the unfortunate Hyacinthus, who met his 
death from the hands of one who loved him much ?” 

“Yes, sir; the Laconian youth, so loved by Apollo.” 

“Oh, poor Apollo ! To cause the death of one whom 
he loved so dearly! 

“‘That sanguine flower, inscribed with woe/ 

“And, Flora, can you discover on the petals in- 
scribed the Greek letters, ' al , al / said to be Apollo’s 
exclamation of grief on discovering he had slain his 
friend, the beautiful Hyacinthus?” He studied her 
face as she studied the flowers, and continued : 

“ ’T would be a sorrowful mishap to cause the death 
of one whom you loved, as did Apollo.” 

Raising her face, she met a look of admiration from 
his speaking, dark eyes that caused her own to again 
seek her flowers. 

“My goddess, as you sit here, with lap full of flow- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


34 7 


ers, the scene recalls to my mind a beautiful tribute 
to the floral month of May by one of our finest poets. 
Spencer says : 

“ ‘Then came fair May, the fairest maid on ground, 
Decked all with dainties of her season’s pride. 

And throwing flowers out of her lap around.’ 

“Are not you, then, the personification of his May — 
with lap full of flowers? Do you like the old poets. 
Flora?” 

“Indeed, yes!” 

“Will not you repeat a verse for me, Flora, from 
some dear old poet — of some flower, or, rather, of 
some beautiful maiden?” he asked. 

“I will, with pleasure ; of Emelie in the garden.” 

“Yes, yes!” 

“It felle ones in a morne of May, 

That Emelie, that fayrer was to sene 
Than is the lilie upon his stalke grene, 

And fresher than the May with floures newe, 

For with the rose-colour strof hir hewe; 

I n’ot which was the finer of hem two.” 

How he hung on her words, and thought in his soul : 
“When did ever mortal eye behold such beauty and 
rich grace !” She had been working diligently ; he, 
still kneeling, toyed with the flowers. 

“It is complete,” she said, holding the bouquet for 
his admiration. 

“How beautiful ! And is this intended for thy lover, 
who sails the seas o'er in a little boat?” 

“Captain, I have said I have no lover,” she said, 
raising her honest eyes to his. 

“I promised to find one for you.” 

“Yes,” she said, with downcast eyes. 

“I have found him,” he said solemnly. 

“Oh ! So soon ?” 


348 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Yes,” he returned, in a voice soft, rich and low. 

“Is he nice?” 

“Exceedingly — that is, the ladies call him so. Shall 
I describe him to you?” 

“N — o. Oh, I do not know !” She was a little con- 
* fused. 

y “He already worships you. May I not give him 
your flowers as a token of love?” 

She trembled as she handed it to him, smiling. 

“Thank you! Now shall I not tell you his name?” 

“Oh, no !” she cried quickly, her breath almost leav- 
ing her. 

“Why not?” 

“Mayhap I shall find him out myself.” 

“That will you ! Just watch who carries your flow- 
ers, my Flora.” 

Now Nora returned with more flowers. Captain 
Arranton rose, and, taking up his hat, with a bow mo- 
tioned her to a seat beside Flora. 

“Nora and Flora,” he said, standing in front of the 
two ; “what pretty names — and how they rhyme ! I 
shall write a poem. And now, Miss Nora, who is to 
be the happy recipient of your nosegay when you have 
arranged it ?” 

“Why, we are arranging them for the decoration of 
the table at dinner! I shall give them to no one, I 
assure you, sir.” 

“Then you have no lover, Miss Shane, on whom to 
bestow your favor?” 

“No! Lover? No; my heart is whole and fancy 
free. I should hate to be moping around with a 
lover.” 

“Truly? What of this fine page of Lady Hawren’s, 
Master Julien?” 

“Ah! That little Frenchman? I would not give 
that for him,” she said, snapping her pretty fingers in 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


349 


the air. Then, noticing the bouquet he held so lov- 
ingly, she turned sharply on Flora, saying: 

“Have you given him your flowers ? I thought you 
were assisting me to arrange them for the table.” 

“No, no!” replied Edwin quickly; “I am to find her 
lover and give them to him.” 

“Then,” returned she archly, “I shall watch and see 
who carries them, and thus I can determine who is 
her lover.” 

Edwin blushed deeply and smiled on Flora; then, 
waving them a salute, turned and strolled off. 

On the following morning the nymphs had all gath- 
ered on the beach, for they were going in the boats out 
to the little Fairy Isle, as they designated the small 
island with a few tall trees, which Flora and Edwin 
had observed from the ruins and had spoken of on 
their first meeting. Some of the men and servants had 
gone to fetch the boats from the boathouse a short 
distance up the beach, while others, with the nymphs, 
strayed along the shore or sat about on rustic seats, 
awaiting them. All were anxious to explore the little 
Fairy Isle. 

Edwin first made his appearance, in a dainty little 
boat for two. As he drew near, the girls made a rush 
for the little narrow platform or landing plank extend- 
ing over the water. 

“Oh, Edwin, take me!” cried one. 

“Oh, Captain, surely I am to go in that nice little 
boat!” exclaimed another. But Edwin stopped at a 
safe distance, saying: 

“Whoever will leap in may go with me.” 

“Oh, do come nearer, Cousin Edwin!” urged Kath- 
ryn, manifesting much anxiety ; then, turning to Rosa, 
she asked : 

“Oh, Rosa, cannot you make the leap ?” 

“Ah, no ! I should fall midway into the water ; be- 
sides, I shall have a boat here in a few minutes, and 


350 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


will myself take whoever I like. But here’s Nora, 
who can perform the feat if any can.” 

Nora ran out to the end of the landing and cried 
imploringly : 

“Oh, Captain Arranton, do come a little nearer ; do!” 

“Not a foot,” he said, laughing. “If you can leap 
the interval I shall take you to the little Fairy Isle.” 

“Oh, Nora, Nora; do not!” cried Aunt Mary, in 
alarm lest the daring girl should try it. 

“Indeed, then, I’ll not attempt it, for I should only 
fall into the sea for you to have a good laugh, Cap- 
tain ; you hard-hearted — cruel Oh, Miss Bru- 

neaugh, come up and make the effort and go with the 
Captain ; he will doubtless draw up nearer for you,” 
urged Nora. 

“Oh, no, indeed! If Captain Arranton wished to 
take me in his boat he would ask me, I am sure,” re- 
turned Miss Augusta tartly, standing back with dig- 
nity. 

“He looks as though he would like to take you ; so 
go on, Miss Augusta,” Nora insisted. 

“No, no; never!” 

“Well, Cousin Edwin, who will you take if not me?” 
asked Kathryn. 

“Any one who will come out on the end of the 
gangway and jump in, I assure you, my Lady,” he said 
tantalizingly. 

“Oh,” she cried, “I never saw such a tantalizing 
boy ! Nora, I know you can skip in ; do try.” 

“Shure, Captain. If you will draw up just a foot 
nearer I will come in with you.” 

“Oh, Nora ! No, no !” again cried Mrs. O’Neal. 

“Edwin, Edwin!” exclaimed Lady Hawren. “How 
you tease the girls! Never mind, young ladies; here 
come the other boats.” 

Now all stood back on the strand, watching the ap- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


35i 

proach of the boats, as they swept around a curve from 
the boathouse. 

Edwin, catching Flora’s eye, raised his hat and gave 
her an inviting smile. She had stood modestly back 
during the rush the other girls had made ; but now 
walked gracefully out on the plank as he gave the 
light boat a shove which brought it alongside. She 
stepped in and seated herself amid a storm of pre- 
tended rage and abuse that now burst from the dis- 
appointed ones. But Edwin, “like a young Nile-bird,” 
turns the prow toward the little Fairy Isle, while 
slight ripples break about the painted sides of the boat 
in soothing melody. 

But soon the other boats were filled, and all set out 
to explore the little isle, on which none of the party 
had ever trod save the Earl, and Ambrose, his at- 
tendant. 

When old Dexter Hawthorn, Rosa’s faithful at- 
tendant, had drawn up with the most charming little 
barque in the Earl’s possession, a small Egyptian row- 
boat which the Earl had, on finding she could grace- 
fully and to good effect handle the oars, politely placed 
at her disposal, she turned to Louis, who stood near, 
waiting to see what she would do, and said jocosely : 

“Now, Master Louis, if you will oblige me by step- 
ping into my pleasure boat I will show you my skill 
in rowing.” 

Louis felt a new joy in his bosom swell as he sprang 
with lightsome step to the dainty seat she offered him. 
The gentle plash of the oar in her hand is music to 
his ear as they launch forth “o’er the crimson tide” 
and softly, but with gentle velocity, glide toward the 
isle. 

The Fairy Isle, as the Nymphs had dubbed it, was 
covered with a wild luxuriance of vines and flowers; 
craggy stones were overhung with coral honeysuckle, 
clematis, eglantine and ivy. The flowery drapery 


352 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


along the brink was duplicated in the sea with charm- 
ing effect, giving it a twofold beauty. Three great 
trees stood as sentinels in the centre, their pendant 
branches dipping here and there into the waves, of so 
small size was the island. 


e|j? eT*> 

CHAPTER XXXII. 


AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. 

“After many years do I once more behold thy face?” 

Next morning at the breakfast table the Earl said : 

“By the way, ladies, there is to be a new arrival 
to-day.” 

“Who? Who?” the Nymphs all cry, manifesting 
much interest in having a new addition to their circle. 

“The Doctor will arrive in a few hours,” he said, 
“and you ladies will do well to be on the qui vive; for 
he's a fine old bachelor, as all of you know. The won- 
der to me is, Miss Bruneaugh, that you have not en- 
gaged his affections long ago,” he said, with a bow 
and a smile toward Miss Augusta. 

“Thank you, my Lord,” returned she, with a dis- 
dainful toss of her head. “Indeed, I cannot say that I 
even like him,” she continued stiffly. 

“Not like him!” exclaimed Annie. “Why, we all 
like him ; he is the dearest man !” 

“Yes,” said Kathryn ; “not only like him, I just love 
the dear, adorable Doctor!” 

“Oh ! Ha, ha, ha !” laughed Rosa. “Lady Kathryn, 
I fancy you loving the oid bachelor!” 

“Oh, I love him as a father,” she said saucily, with 
an arch look toward her mother, who blushed rosy. 
All joined in a good laugh at Lady Hawren’s expense, 
and she said ; 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


353 


“Never mind! Never mind, girls; the Doctor is 
good enough for me, or any other woman; but he is 
not for me, neither am I for him ; nor do I believe 
that any one of you girls can capture him, try as you 
may.” 

“Perhaps he is invulnerable to the shafts of Cupid,” 
suggested Miss Augusta. “At any rate, I, for one, 
will not try. He is too old for me.” And her glance 
rested lovingly on Captain Arranton, who sat opposite, 
beside her sister Rosa. 

“I have heard some lines,” said Guy, “which, with a 
little transposition, will apply to the Doctor’s case; 
thus: 

"‘His heart is all on honor bent, he cannot stoop to love; 

No lady in the land hath power his frozen heart to move.' ” 

’Mid a clapping of hands in approval of Guy’s 
couplet, all now rose from the table, Lady de Bruce 
saying : 

“And that is just true, too, of our dear Doctor ; I am 
glad he is coming.” 

Mrs. O’Neal had not joined in the conversation, and, 
being a stranger in the neighborhood, knew not of 
whom they spoke, as they had called no name. The 
programme for this day was to have a fish dinner in 
a grove at the west end of the promontory. Many 
fine fishes had been secured for the occasion, which 
was called a fish-fry, although the fish was to be 
cooked in many different ways and there would be 
served many other delicacies. And at night they were 
to have a grand supper inside. A few hours later, 
while much preparation was being made to get off to 
the grove and the sandy beach, Lady de Bruce and 
Mrs. O’Neal sat by the library table, deeply interested 
in the intricacies of a new piece of embroidery. They 
heard some one arrive and the mingling of voices in 
the hall, but paid no attention, continuing with their 


354 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


work and conversing pleasantly. Presently the por- 
tiere was withdrawn and the Earl appeared, saying : 

“Aha! Here you are Lady de Bruce and my dear 
aunt, hidden away here with your fascinating work, 
and would allow the King himself to arrive and never 
know it. Here, Doctor!” And, reaching outside, he 
drew the Doctor in, saying: 

“Allow me to introduce you to my aunt, Mrs. 
O’Neal, Doctor Godkins.” 

Doctor Godkins seemed thunderstruck. Mrs. O’Neal 
had risen, and stood, her arms hanging limp by her 
side. The Doctor, forcing himself to speak, seized 
one of her hands, saying : 

“Why, bless my soul, Mary!” 

The Earl said: “Then you have met my aunt be- 
fore? And here is Lady de ” But Mrs. O’Neal 

sank back in her chair in a dead faint. Lady de Bruce 
and Clifton hastened to her assistance, and placed her 
on the sofa, her waxlike face as white as marble ; and 
restoratives were freely applied. 

Doctor Godkins turned suddenly to the door; and, 
coming face to face with Kathryn and Annie, who 
were following to the library, he checked them, say- 
ing: 

“Oh, ladies, you have not seen my new horse! 
Come, come to the door and see ! I must speak to the 
groom in regard to him.” He took them back to the 
front door to see his horse; but soon left them and 
went with the groom. 

Mrs. O’Neal soon opened her eyes, and, looking 
from one to the other, was on the point of swooning 
again; but they continued the application of restora- 
tives and chafing her hands. Then she after a time 
opened her eyes, and looked about as though dreading 
yet longing to see some one. 

“Darling aunt, what can I do for you?” asked the 
Earl anxiously. 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


355 


“Oh, thank you, my Lord ; nothing !” 

“Oh, you are better now, Mary!” exclaimed Lady 
de Bruce. 

“Somewhat, thank you, Lady de Bruce. Will you 
ring for Joan? I must go to my room.” 

“Oh, certainly! Yet, stay! I will accompany you, 
Mary ; allow me to see you to your room.” 

She gave the Earl her hand to rise, and as she rose 
she gave him a reassuring smile to dispel any anxiety 
he might feel concerning her ; and, leaning on Lady de 
Bruce’s arm, she left the room. On reaching the hall 
she cast a furtive glance around, and seeing no one 
but the group of young ladies at the front door crossed 
the hall to her apartments. 

Lady de Bduce placed her upon a couch and care- 
fully adjusting a pillow under her head, asked if she 
might remain with her; or should she ring for Joan, 
her maid. 

“Dear friend, you shall not shut yourself in with 
me all day, for I feel that I shall not be able to go 
out — perhaps not before evening.” 

“Oh, Mary, if I could be of any comfort to you, or 
assist you in any way, I will gladly remain! I will 
not leave you here alone through the long day.” 

“Marjorie, I cannot think of keeping you. Please 
send Joan to me, and go, yourself, out with the others. 
I assure you I am not ill; only weak and nervous. 
You must go! I will not keep you. They have 
planned for such a nice day.” 

Lady de Bruce felt a delicacy in remaining, think- 
ing her friend would probably prefer to be alone ; so 
she kissed her flushed cheek and said : 

“Do not yourself stay here all day, Mary ; but come 
out with us after a little and enjoy the fresh air.” 

“Thank you, Marjorie; I will try to come if I feel 
better.” But she held on yet to Lady de Bruce’s hand 
and asked eagerly; 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


356 

“Does any one know of — that I — swooned save you 
two ?” 

“No, dear; I assure you of it. Lady Hawren was 
in the dining room with Mrs. Macleod, and the girls 
were all at the front door” 

“Where did — he go?” 

“The Doctor? He is here somewhere, and is to be 
one of our party for the remainder of our stay here ; 
we could not get on without him, he is such a dear!” 
returned Lady de Bruce. 

“Oh — 00 !” she moaned. “Then I must meet him ! 
Oh, do not think, Lady de Bruce ; do ” 

“Hush, dear; do not say it unless you wish to.” 

“Oh, but you will think so ” 

“No, no; not at all! You have a right to your 
secret, Mary ; you have a right to keep it if you wish,” 
Lady de Bruce returned kindly. 

“But my Lord Clifton; what will he think of this?” 

“Never mind, dear. Now I will leave you alone a 
while, to collect yourself ; you are nervous.” 

After Mrs. O’Neal and Lady de Bruce had left the 
library the Earl started out to find Doctor Godkins, 
who had disappeared while they were attending to 
his aunt. The young ladies in the hall said he had 
gone with the groom to put away his horse. The Earl 
then went to the stables, but found him not. Andy 
pointed to the ruins of the old church, saying: “He 
went in that direction.” After some time the Earl 
found him alone, walking wildly up and down a sandy 
stretch of beach. Doctor Godkins had left the hall 
with Andy, ostensibly to see to the care of his fine 
horse ; but as soon as he was out of sight of the girls 
he drew his hat down over his face and, plunging into 
the coppice, tore his way on, never stopping to see 
where he was going ; presently finding himself on the 
beach below the old church, he walked to and fro; 
and thus he communed with himself: 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


357 


“Oh, ye gods ; it is Mary ! And she has not for- 
gotten me. No ! By St. George, she swooned at sight 
of me! What thought the Earl of it? Ye gods! I 
was dumfounded — taken altogether by surprise, and 
could scarcely speak. My pretty little Mary! But 
where is O’Neal? Is he living? Is he dead? So we 
are to be thrown together here for some days. Mary, 
Mary ” 

“Why, Doctor, I had expected to find you with the 
young ladies, instead of promenading the beach here 
all alone ! And it is time we were fishing, too, if you 
wish to enjoy the sport.” 

“By St. George, my Lord ; why do you not all come 
along, then, and let us begin ! Is not this the time and 
place? And here am I all in readiness to begin the 
sport. Now who is to blame?” 

“No ; it is not here we fish ; just above in the mouth 
of a small stream are the fishermen with the boats. 
But, Doctor, it appears to me you are a queer kind of 
physician, to run away on the occasion of a lady’s 
swooning, instead of lending assistance.” 

“Tut, tut! Too many cooks spoil the broth. Too 
many hands are worse than none in case of syncope.” 

“But, Doctor, what can have caused the syncope?” 
the Earl asked, eyeing him earnestly. 

“Let’s see,” said the Doctor, assuming a profes- 
sional look ; “it’s proximate causes : Loss of blood, 
profound emotional disturbance, or heart disease. She 
rose suddenly from a sitting posture — it may be the 
syncope was caused by a receding of blood from the 
heart ; possibly a flow to the head ; or ” 

“Doctor! Stuff! Nonsense! It seems that you 
were acquainted — knew each other.” 

“Why, bless you, my Lord, Mary and I were 
brought up together. I have known her just always. 
By St. George, I guess she was a little surprised to see 
me; that’s all! Why, I have not seen nor heard of 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


35S 

her for seventeen years.” Now he paused; and, look- 
ing the Earl steadily in the face, asked: “My Lord, 
she has told you nothing?” 

“Nothing,” he replied. 

“Then, by St. George, my Lord, / shall tell you 
nothing without her permission.” 

“You are right, Doctor. If there is aught I should 
know she will surely tell me. Come, let us go.” 

Mrs. O’Neal did not feel better, and remained in her 
room through the day. Not only Lady de Bruce, Lady 
Hawren and the young girls, but the Earl, also, came 
repeatedly to know if she felt well enough and would 
come out and join them on the beach. But she re- 
clined all day on her couch. Joan brought her a lunch 
at noon, though she ate nothing. In the evening she 
rose, and with her maid’s assistance was soon attired 
for supper, and went across the great hall to the draw- 
ing-room. No one was here yet but Lady Hawren ; 
the others were engaged in dressing for the evening. 
Lady Hawren, so gentle and thoughtful, gave her a 
seat beside her on the sofa, saying: 

“We were so sorry that you felt indisposed to-day 
and were debarred the pleasure of being out with us. 
We have enjoyed a splendid time. Doctor Godkins 
is here, an old friend, and an elegant and distinguished 
physician and surgeon. By the way, a nice old bach- 
elor ! I wish you to meet.” 

“Oh, yes!” said Mrs. O’Neal nervously, trying to 
repress the tumult within. “I met him this morning. 
He is an old friend of mine.” 

“Oh, truly? How glad I am !” 

Now the party began to assemble. Lord and Lady 
de Bruce entered. Then came Kathryn and Flora 
through the portieres from Lady Hawren’s room at 
the farther end on the right, for the rest of the hang- 
ings dividing this suite from the drawing-room com- 
posed a solid wall. Annie and Lord Phantom fell en- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


359 


tered from the great hall, where they had been prome- 
nading, and where they had left Doctor Godkins and 
Rose conversing in the front window. 

Miss Augusta sat in front of her pier-glass, her 
maid, Amanda, who was both old and ugly, making 
strenuous efforts to please her capricious mistress in 
the make-up of her toilette for the evening. 

“There, ’Manda ; a little more rouge on this side ; 
do not you see that you have it uneven? Do not fear 
to put on too much ; I wish to look rosy this evening ; 
I must look my best. Now the bunch of curls. Place 
them just atop my head — in front of the coiffure — 
there! It is said, Amanda, that I resemble Queen 
Elizabeth ; certainly my hair is the very shade of hers, 
said to be like the last parting sunbeam of the softest 
day of spring, or like a golden thread from the web 
wrought by Minerva.” 

“Indeed, thou art not unlike the great Queen, Mis- 
tress ; a noble, striking and commanding figure. May 
Heaven pardon the falsehood — a beautiful and amiable 
character — if only she had not, with such persistent 
cruelty, persecuted the Puritans.” 

“Hers was, indeed, a haughty and imperturbable 
spirit ; and, though she was the glory of the age in 
which she lived, she could not be called amiable, 
’Manda ; for, when angry, she would swear, and slap 
the courtiers in the face. I have never yet been guilty 
of such an act, ’Manda; I would scarce do that! 
Though I did feel enough like slapping the face of my 
Lord Phantomfell for him last year at the hunting 
tower, when he persistently kept my company to the 
exclusion of all others. Now the back hair, ’Manda; 
pile it high, wench — now the bouffons, and place the 
combs. Yes, the Captain is remarkably handsome ” 

“He’s very young, Mistress Augusta ; I should think 
— there is Lord Phantomfell would suit you, and Doc- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


360 

tor Godkins; there’s not so great a dispari — I mean, 
they are old enough — nice bachelors ” 

“Get out, you impudent old maid!” exclaimed Miss 
Augusta, stamping her foot furiously. “Yet, stay; 
reach my fan ere you leave, wench. Now go put away 
my things, if you can find space for them. I declare, 
to be forced to share one’s dressing room with others 
is insufferable ! Why we three were crammed in these 
small rooms when there are Mrs. Macleod and Flora 
who might have been sent to the basement, I cannot 
comprehend.” 

When Amanda left the apartment Miss Augusta, as 
if continuing a reverie, said: “Yes, handsome — if 
that troublesome sister of mine was out of the way! 
Yet I doubt not he prefers my society to hers. Then 
that girl Flora, always putting herself in his way; 
and Nora Shane, that red-haired, freckled-faced — 
outrageous Captain Arranton is such a gentle- 

man he cannot refuse to notice them. Her hair is red 
— red ! — while mine is ‘paley gold,’ as was called 
Queen Elizabeth’s, and has been likened unto hers, and 
said to be like the threads of Minerva’s web. That 
insolent wench, to refer to the disparity between our 
ages! ’Tis nothing to speak of — a little, very little, in- 
deed. Oh, a young man for me or none! Old bach- 
elors, forsooth ! Lord Phantomfell — Doctor Godkins ? 
Mercy? Yet, the Doctor is not so bad, either. But 
those girls ! It is ever thus ; I can never settle myself 
for a tete-a-te with Captain Arranton but must come 
one or more of them flitting up to call him away. He 
is only amusing himself with them, the silly ones ! I 
am sure no sensible man can see any charms in those 
romping girls. He admires a woman of sense. I feel 
quite sure he came around in his little boat to-day ex- 
pressly for me ; but those foolish girls plagued him so, 
pretending they would jump in, and would have done 
so had he dared to draw up nearer — they are so bold — • 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


361 


and just as soon as he did draw near that Flora 
stepped out and seated herself as complacently as 
though she had been invited. I declare it is abomin- 
able ; and I will not stand it With a toss of her 
head, as she surveyed herself in the glass, she stepped 
into the hall, and there joined Doctor Godkins and 
Rosa. Laughing and joking, the Doctor apparently 
happy, they entered the drawing-room. He soon dis- 
covered that Mrs. O’Neal was among the ladies. Now 
the other men came in, and conversation flowed freely 
for a while ; then supper was announced. Lady Haw- 
ren rose, saying: 

“My Lord, you will lead the way with Lady de 
Bruce.” She then requested Lord de Bruce to ac- 
company Miss Hamilton. And turning to Doctor 
Godkins, she said sweetly: “You will attend Mrs. 
O’Neal. I understand you are old friends. Doctor.” 
She then arranged the other couples, being careful to 
see that Edwin accompanied Miss Bruneaugh and not 
Flora. The Doctor turned deathly pale ; but, gallantly 
offering his arm to Mrs. O’Neal, led her down the 
long hall into the dining-room and seated her, neither 
speaking a word. And during supper they both joined 
in the conversation around the table, yet neither ad- 
dressed the other. Mrs. O’Neal ate nothing; the Doc- 
tor very little. And when the ladies rose he, as usual, 
rose and offered her his arm. 

“Oh, Doctor,” called Louis, “do not leave us thus; 
stay and have a little wine!” 

“No, Louis ; no wine for me. I do not indulge in 
wine, as you well know. I will go with the ladies,” he 
said; and they followed the crowd. The Earl looked 
after them with a puzzled expression. He had felt not 
a little chagrined when he heard Lady Hawren say to 
the Doctor: “You will attend Mrs. O’Neal, Doctor; I 
understand that you are old friends.” But he thought : 
“I will wait and see what comes of it.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


362 

Doctor Godkins and Mrs. O’Neal followed slowly 
on behind the others, and spoke not until they had 
traversed the great hall and were near the entrance, to 
the drawing-room. He felt her hand tremble on his 
arm ; and, placing his hand on hers, said in a shaking 
voice : 

“Oh, ye gods, Mary; this will never do! You must 
not feel badly; you were not to blame. ’Twas I who 
did wrong and am blameable for all ” 

She burst into a storm of tears, withdrew her hand, 
and fled into the nearest room, which was Kathryn’s, 
at the right of the drawing-room, opening into the 
great hall, and closed the door behind her. 

Doctor Godkins turned him about. He felt he could 
not join the ladies in the drawing-room, but must have 
a little solitude. And seeing a way of escape through 
the moonlit corridor leading to the ruins, he rushed 
forth into the fresh air. Here he walked to and fro 
over the flagged stones, “chewing the cud of sweet and 
bitter fancy” ; and thus he communed with himself : 

“Ye gods! What think you now? By St. George, 
I must make a diagnosis of this case! Why did she 
swoon on first seeing me? Profound emotional dis- 
turbance,” he mused. “Does she still love me ; or was 
it hatred that caused the profound emotional disturb- 
ance? And now, at a few words from me, she runs 
away in a passion of tears. Ye gods! Tears of grief 
or tears of anger? I know not which. He paused and 
looked over the sea, now calmly sleeping, bathed in 
the soft moonlight. Anon he turned again, and, 
walking up and down, continued his soliloquy: “Did 
I think the sight of her, after so many years, could 
arouse such a storm of unrest in my brest? By 
St. George, she is more lovely than ever! But I’ll 
never let her know, I will first discover whether it is 
love or hatred she entertains for me. But — ye Gods ! 
O’Neal? Where is he? Living or dead? Oh, good 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 363 

Lord !” he groaned ; and, clasping his hands, he gazed 
up into the starry heavens and cried: 

“Open thy melancholy eyes, O night, and gaze on me 
That I may feel the charm that lies in their dim mystery; 
Unveil thine eyes so gloomy bright, and look upon my 
soul, 

O Night!” 

Drawing forth his handkerchief, he mopped his 
brow ; then turning resolutely, he wended his way 
back to the drawing-room. 

The men were now gathering in from supper. Doc- 
tor Godkins perceived at a glance that Mrs. O’Neal 
was not present, then found himself a seat amid a 
group of mischievous and fun-loving girls. And after 
jesting with them for a while he took a seat beside 
Miss Annie, whose society he always enjoyed, for she 
was possessed of a lively wit. 

Presently Mrs. O’Neal, wishing not to be observed, 
slipped quietly in at the side from the portiers of Lady 
Hawren’s room ; for under the present situation the 
ladies made free with each other’s rooms, especially 
the suite which had been assigned to Lady Hawren 
and Kathryn, by which they passed back and forth 
when not wishing to cross the drawing-room while 
filled with company. 

Lord Phantomfell, sitting near the entrance, rose; 
and, bowing low, said : 

“Allow me, Mistwess O’Neal, to offer you a seat.’* 
Then seating himself quite near her, he took her fan ; 
and while gently fanning her, he said : 

“How beautifully wosy your cheeks are this evening, 
Mistwess O’Neal; you are beginning to improve al- 
ready, inhaling this fwesh sea air.” 

Doctor Godkins had observed her entrance, though 
engaged in an animated quarrel with Miss Annie, and 
heard Phantomfell’s remark, for his voice was sharp 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


364 

and loud ; and, glancing that way, thought indeed she 
was more beautiful than he had ever seen her. And 
she looked exceedingly happy, her face lit up with a 
rare smile, her rounded lips vermilion in hue, her eyes 
bright and sparkling; but so modest and quiet was 
she that but few knew of her presence. 

“What can have made her so happy ?” the Doctor 
wondered. And though he kept up a lively conversa- 
tion with Annie, his eyes and thoughts were on Mrs. 
O’Neal. Then seeing that she and Lord Phantomfell 
with Lord de Bruce and Lady Hawren were arrang- 
ing for a game of chess, he asked Annie to promenade 
with him ; and they passed into the great hall, where 
they were soon followed by several other couples — 
Captain Arranton and Flora; Lord Clifton and Kath- 
ryn, and Louis and Rosa ; all speculating as to whether 
the weather would be fair next day for a dinner al 
fresco, and for the grand Fete-champetre which the 
Earl had gone to great expense to have arranged for 
them in the evening. 

When the Earl had seen his aunt enter the drawing- 
room looking so charmingly happy, her face suffused 
with a roseate glow, he thought that the Doctor and 
she had probably had a long talk and had adjusted 
matters or come to an understanding. 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

A DAY ON THE SHELLY SANDS. 

“All, all, are here to share with me 
The genius of festivity." 

On the following morning the Earl conducted the 
party to a little grotto on the beach, a few paces below 
a charming grove, where they were to have dinner on 
the greensward. This grotto was rather an artificial 
cavern-like apartment, which had been formed amid 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 365 

the rocks for the occasion, but had a natural covering, 
being overgrown with furz or gorse, now yellow with 
bloom ; a floor of smooth, flat stones was covered with 
skins and rugs. The room was furnished with some 
rustic chairs and a long seat, which might be called a 
settee, with back and arms. There were many cush- 
ions and pillows tossed about, giving an air of com- 
fort, this being a place where the ladies or others came 
to rest when tired out. The mouth or entrance to this 
grotto was on the beached-verge of the water, and not 
far below the little boat landing. On the right of the 
entrance grew clumps of wild rose and eglantine, 
through which a wimpling streamlet gurgled its way 
into the sea. 

Lady Hawren had sought Edwin ; and, leaning on 
his arm, they strolled a-down the sandy beach and 
entered this cosiest of grottoes, where she sank upon a 
bank of cushions, as she said: 

“Be seated, Edwin ; I will not long keep you from 
the joyous young people with whom you seem to be 
so happy.” 

He sat gracefully upon the long settee, and, placing 
his hat beside him, answered, with a bright smile : 

“How happy they do appear this morning, dear 
aunt! I do not know that I was ever before thrown 
among a happier group; and I the happiest of them 
all !” he said, transported with pleasure. Lady Haw- 
ren hesitated, then with an apparent effort she said: 

“Dear Edwin, I have asked this interview with you 
in order to give you a little warning which I greatly 
fear I have too long deferred.” 

“Very well, then, aunt; you will excuse me if 
I stretch myself along this inviting seat with one of 
those cushions under my head,” he said, suiting his 
action to his words. “One gets pretty tired, roving 
day after day, and getting little or no rest at night. 
Now I can listen most comfortably to your sweet talk ; 


3 66 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


or was it — a warning?” he asked, with some mis- 
givings. “What can you mean, aunt?” 

“Dear boy, you well know that you are of a lineage 
as distinguished and ancient as that of anyone here 
— and that is saying much, considering here is Lord 
de Bruce, of very ancient and noble name ; and as 
to the Earl of Fleetwood, none can claim better de- 
scent. Lord Phantomfell is of a fine old family. The 
Misses Bruneaugh have a brother, now one of the 
noblest Barons of Scotland.” 

“Dear aunt, what ” 

“You must know, Edwin, you can never marry a 
woman beneath your station.” 

“My station at present, dear aunt, I fear, is not an 
exalted one — a Captain with ‘no other fortune but 
his commission and a Highland pedigree’ ; nothing but 
a long line of ancestors for a commendation.” 

“An untarnished lineage such as yours is worth 
much, Edwin. You should be proud of your illustri- 
ous race. You would be a welcome suitor in any 
noble family, and you must know that you can never 
stoop to take a bride of birth inferior to your own.” 

“Dear aunt, what can have moved you to make this 
speech?” he asked, manifesting much uneasiness. “Can 
you be wishing to select a bride for me,” with an 
attempt at playfulness which proved altogether a fail- 
ure. “I am young yet, and ” 

“Yes, Edwin, I know. But the idea is to start off 
right. If you must fall in love, be sure it is with the 
proper person. Do not embarrass yourself by be- 
coming irrevocably attached to one with whom you 
can never form an alliance ; for of all things, you must 
avoid a mesalliance. Your birth of high degree de- 
mands it. The bones of your ancestors would clang 
together in their cerements. Your lineage allies 
you, nearly, with the present Duke of Hamilton, the 
Earl of Athole, and many other equally noble families, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 367 

You, dear boy, must never alienate yourself by an in- 
ferior alliance/’ 

“Dear aunt, what can you mean? To whom do 
you refer?” he asked, with a sickening sensation at 
his heart. 

“To Flora,” she replied briefly. 

“She’s an angel of light; she’s glorious! No one 
could help loving her — a vision of loveliness!” he ex- 
claimed vehemently, rising to a sitting posture. 

“Oh, Edwin, Edwin ! Am I too late with my warn- 
ing?” 

“Oh, aunt, surely What can be wrong with 

that sweet creature? Who is she?” 

“Edwin, you should have asked this sooner, or I 
should have earlier spoken to you. I have intended 
to do so, but kept hoping there would be no necessity 
for it. And oh, am I too late?” she cried, clasping 
her hands ; then continued : “Know this, dear boy ; 
there can never be anything between you but the most 
delicate friendship.” 

“Tell me ; oh, tell me why !” he cried, starting up, 
anguish depicted in his face, erstwhile aglow with 
happiness. 

“Oh, Edwin, do not ask me ; I wish to say no more. 
But let what I have said be as the law of the Medes 
and Persians.” 

“I must know. I cannot live!” he groaned, wring- 
ing his hands. 

“Oh, surely, Edwin, you do not love Flora already ; 
you have not committed yourself?” she asked, anxi- 
ously. 

“Madly do I love her — passionately! Surely, dear 
aunt, there can be no reason why I should not ” 

“Her birth, Edwin ; she is of low birth. It will 
never, never do to think of her ” 

“Oh, my God !” he cried, with ashen lips and hag- 
gard cheeks, burying his face in his hands. “Oh, 


g'68 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

surely there can be — can be — no dishonor — no, no 

ft 

“No; oh no, Edwin! No, my poor boy! I would 
not for one moment have you think that. Her mother 
is an honorable and most estimable woman, of noble 
character; but has for years held the position of an 
upper servant at Fleetwood, and has proven herself 
one of the most competent of housekeepers. Ap- 
parently, in some degree relieved, Edwin raised his 
head, his face all aflame. 

“Aunt, I have noticed carefully since I first met 
Flora, and observed Mrs. Macleod has been shown by 
the Earl a marked degree of respect, and by your 
household has ever been treated much as a compan- 
ion.” 

“Indeed, that is true, Edwin. It was my grand- 
father’s wish that it should be so, on Flora’s account, 
as well as for her own sake. She has been as a 
mother to my Lord since he was about seven years of 
age; and Flora has been brought up in close inti- 
macy with him, even as a sister — the pet and darling 
of the household. Mrs. Macleod’s office is but that 
of a sinecure, as she keeps a regular staff of servants 
to do the work, with a number of competent women 
over these.” 

“Then, aunt, how — why — ” he stammered. 

“Her father, Edwin, was a low-born villain — a vul- 
gar captain of a brigantine ; a pirate ; a smuggler, or 
some such outlaw — and, Edwin, I am not at liberty 
to speak further. There are other particulars which 
I may not mention.” Edwin, with a groan, again 
buried his face in his hands. Lady Hawren’s sym- 
pathy was manifest; but, to draw his mind from his 
sorrow, she suggested: 

“Now, Edwin, if you could admire Miss Rosa, 
how different it would be ; she is certainly a very 
sweet girl, and the family connections are all that could 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


369 

be wished — are most excellent. And Lord de Bruce, 
having no heir, will doubtless leave her a fine share 
of his immense wealth. A union with her, Edwin, 
would be most desir ” 

’‘Peace, peace, darling aunt! Oh, my God!” he 
exclaimed, and threw himself along the seat, almost 
overcome with grief. Lady Hawren rose, the tears 
streaming down her cheeks, and, adjusting the cushion 
under his head, she said softly: 

“Lie here and rest a little, now, darling boy. Shall 
I leave you alone?” 

“Yes, yes! Oh, that I might die — to have my 
heaven thus turned into Oh-o- !” he moaned. 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 

A CONFESSION. 

Mrs. O’Neal immediately after dinner took Lady 
de Bruce’s arm and asked her to take a stroll with 
her beneath the shade. Then, seeing the Earl stand- 
ing apart, they approached and asked him to accom- 
pany them in their promenade. Annie, who sat, with 
Doctor Godkins, beneath an overhanging beech, per- 
ceived that his eyes followed them as they walked 
away. 

“You look wistfully after that trio, Doctor, as if you 
would very much enjoy being one of the party,” she 
said teasingly. 

“What; what! And leave you? No, never! Now, 
if you will promenade, we’ll go together and have a 

stroll.” 

Annie took his arm and they joined the others of 
the party, happily promenading in the shade. 

Mrs. O’Neal and her friends withdrew a short dis- 
tance from the company of the others and seated 
themselves on a green, mossy bank ; then She said : 


370 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“My Lord, I feel that I owe to you and Lady de 
Bruce an explanation. I must explain the cause of 
my swooning yesterday morning — as painful as it may 
be for me to do so. I could not speak of it at the 
time ” 

“No, my aunt, do not inflict upon yourself the 
pain ; if you have a secret, you have a right to keep 
it.” 

“No, Mary, we know there was good couse, and 
that is sufficient,” said Lady de Bruce, kindly. 

“Yes,” said Mrs. O’Neal, “you will know there was 
a cause, and not knowing that cause might place a 
wrong construction upon my conduct. If you will 
a^ree to listen, and never repeat what I shall say, I 
will tell you the romance of my life.” 

“Well, dear aunt, if you are perfectly free to do 
so, we are quite willing to listen to your romance — 
eh, Lady de Bruce?” 

“Yes, yes, my Lord; I feel that the romance of 
your life, Mary, must prove quite interesting.” 

“An affair de coeur, my aunt, between yourself and 
the good doctor?” 

“Yes, my Lord,” she said, with glowing cheeks, ad- 
justing herself for the story, and began : 

“At the age of seventeen, George Godkins and I 
were betrothed. And I know now that we both loved 
fondly; and there was never truer love than ours. 
After we had been betrothed for some weeks and 
were looking forward, with bright anticipations and 
the happiest of hearts, to the day on which the 
espousal rites would be celebrated, my cousin, Esther 
Etherington, now Lady Esther Etherington, of whom, 
my Lord, you have heard me speak, with her mother, 
came to make us a visit. Esther immediately fell in 
love with George — then a medical student — and set to 
work to rob me of my lover. He took little notice of 
her at first, but after a time, having such flattering at- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


371 


tentions paid him by her and her mother, he began 
flirting a little with her. I became enraged with jeal- 
ousy ; yet he was very nice, and told me truly he 
meant nothing — was just having a little fun. All of 
a sudden Esther and her mother determined to return 
home to Edinburgh on the following morning. 
They got in their carriage and started, going by 
the Godkins residence, and took the Doctor 
with them. I knew that George had business 
in Edinburgh and had intended going on this 
day, for he had taken sweet leave of me the evening 
previous, to be gone two weeks; but, on finding he 
had gone in the carriage with Esther, I was wild with 
jealousy, for I believed it was a collusion, and so it 
was, on the part of Esther and her mother. They 
were both capable of almost anything. That evening, 
as I sat alone on a little balcony overhanging the gar- 
den, distressed beyond measure, I heard the two maids 
talking below, for Esther, in order to have room in 
her carriage for George, had left Nancy, her maid, to 
come on next day in the stage coach, which passed the 
Godkins residence. ‘Sure, Lucy/ said Nancy, ‘did you 
know that Mistress Esther and Doctor Godkins are 
to be married right away?’ ‘No, they are not, neither!’ 
returned Lucy, ‘for he is going to marry Mistress 
Mary — I know that.’ ‘Indeed he is not, for Mistress 
Esther told me just before starting that they would 
be married right away, when they get to Edinburgh, 
and that I must come along on to-morrow’s coach, 
for that she would need me. She bid me tell no one 
save you, Lucy.’ ‘She well knows that I keep nothing 

from Mistress Mary, Nancy ’ I heard no more, 

but fell in a swoon. The maids heard me, and ran 
hastily to my assistance; took me to my room, and 
brought mother to me. When I regained conscious- 
ness I told her all — that he had gone away with Esther, 
and they were to be married. She tried in every way 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


372 

to defend him, for she loved him as her own son. 
Pride came to my rescue. I told her I would never 
forgive him; never! Next morning I penned him a 
few lines and sent to him, with our engagement ring, 
by Nancy : 

“ ‘George with this ring I restore to you your free- 
dom. Mary/ 

“I lived through the day in a perfect languor of 
anguish. In the evening Lieutenant O’Neal called. 
He found me in the sitting-room, alone, for had I 
known he was coming I would not have received him, 
feeling so miserable. His company was stationed at 
Lochabar, and he had been dropping in often of late. 
He knew not that Doctor and I were affianced, the 
bans had not been announced, and but a few of our 
nearest friends were aware of our betrothal. It 
seemed that Lieutenant O’Neal had loved me from 
our first meeting. His company being ordered West 
immediately, he had called to ask me to marry him. 
My head was all in a whirl. How could I ever live 
here, meeting often with George and Esther, and feel 
that my love had been slighted. Here was an escape ; 
I would marry first, and leave; then they would not 
have me to exult over. Lieutenant O’Neal was im- 
portunate. I resolved to wed him. I told him that 
I could not give him my heart’s first love, but would 
try to learn to love him. He was satisfied and happy. 
I then told him that my parents would never consent 
to our marriage, and that we would be compelled to 
elope. I wished them to know that my marriage 
had taken place prior to theirs. He consented, and 
that very night we mounted and rode to the village, 
and were married, Lucy alone attending me. Just 
before starting I went to my mother, who was alone 
in her room, my father having gone from home on 
some business, and told her what I was going to do ; 
just how and why it was; that my pride would not 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


373 


permit me to live where I would see him after he was 
married to another; that Lieutenant O’Neal was or- 
dered away to Ayr, and that we would leave on the 
morrow. Calling for help, she would have forced 
me to remain, but I ran out ; we mounted and dashed 
off, and in an hour were married. Mother after- 
wards wrote me a letter, telling of George’s return, 
which was immediately after receiving my note with 
the ring ; of his great distress of heart and mind when 
she told him of my marriage to another; my reason 
for it, and all that I had told her; for, contrary to 
my wishes, she told him all. He then told her that 
he had never thought of marrying Esther, and knew 
not why they had so suddenly determined to return 
home. They had come by, and insisted that, as they 
were on their way to Edinburgh, he should have a 
seat in their carriage, and not await the lumbering 
old stage coach, which would be along in an hour, by 
which he had intended going. Then, mother wrote, 
he bowed down his head and wept ; and they both 
wept together over my hasty and violent disposition. 
In a short time he went away to India, and I never 
heard more of him.” 

“Dearest aunt, truly you were too hasty; you did 
very wrong,” the Earl said, as he slipped down on 
the green turf and placed his head upon her lap. 
“And now I am going to lie here and have a good 
rest, while I give you a scolding for being so jealous- 
natured and so hasty.” 

Her face was crimson as she kissed his cheek and 
said: 

“But, my Lord, he told me last night, coming away 
from supper, that I was not to blame ; that it was all 
his fault. Yet it was not so — the kind heart, to claim 
all the fault himself; to relieve my heart of such a 
weight of sorrow. I almost wept my eyes away when 
he said it.” 


374 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“This, then, accounts for the flushed and beaming 
face which you wore all last evening, and the happy 
countenance you still carry.” 

“He is truly one of the noblest of men,” said Lady 
de Bruce, “thus to exonerate you, Mary; bearing all 
the blame himself.” 

“I have suffered, I think, enough for my disobedi- 
ence to my mother, and this kindly assurance re- 
moves from my heart a great burden, though I know 
that I alone am blamable in this instance.” 

“I very much believe, Mary, that every act of dis- 
obedience toward parents is followed up with sorrow 
and remorse,” said Lady de Bruce. 

“Lieutenant O’Neal was as good a husband, I be- 
lieve, as any woman ever had, and he tried in every 
way to make me happy. I had wronged him, as well 
as myself, by marrying him, and in my effort to ren- 
der him happy I made my own life more bearable.” 


CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE FETE CHAMPETRE. 

“When wine and mirth did most abound, 

And harpers played their blithest round, 

A shrilly trumpet shook the ground, 

And marshals cleared the ring.” 

Now evening with her richest dies flames o’er the 
sea, the lovely glen and the ruinous old castle. The 
slope north and east of the old Convent Church had 
been cleared of all the usual debris. The lake, or 
arm of the sea, which extended around the promon- 
tory was dotted with small boats. There was in a 
charming grove a simulation of Chindara’s Fountain, 
contrived from a natural rivulet, where concealed in- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


375 


struments were constantly playing. Swings had been 
prepared for the delighted Nymphs, and their merry 
laughter rang out joyously over the placid sea. About 
the borders of the grove mothers sat in groups, chat- 
ting around their tents, for the Earl had invited his 
retainers to take part in this day’s sports, their chubby 
infants rolling and tumbling on the turf at their feet 
in greatest glee. There were among these a number 
of lads and lassies in gay attire, who, a little later on 
in the evening, while the piper, dressed in proper 
costume, with his hornpipe, chanters and drones, 
briskly played “J enn y put the kettle on” and sundry 
other jigs and hornpipes, danced reels, strathsprays 
and jigs to their heart’s content. And so fascinat- 
ing was this exercise that Rorey and Julien, in their 
rich page’s costume, selecting partners from among 
the rustic beauties, joined in for a short time with the 
merry dancers ; while some of the older men were 
playing quarterstaff and running foot-races. Early 
the lamps were being lighted. 

A thousand sparkling lights were placed about the 
ancient ruins, the crumbling Convent walls, in lovely 
bowers, and twinkled in the groves, although the moon 
was at her full to-night, and soon would rise in all 
her refulgent splendor. 

Now the Earl, the soul of good-fellowship, in pass- 
ing, observed the children at play around their 
mothers’ knee. Speaking kindly to one of the women, 
who was the young wife of the dairyman at Fleet- 
wood, and a great favorite with the women at the 
castle, he stooped and took up the year-old boy from 
her lap, saying: 

“Oh, Madge, let me borrow the chubby little fel- 
low awhile and show him to some of my friends, and 
let him watch the lamps as they are being lighted.” 
He walked away with him to where some of the at- 
tendants were lighting the lamps. The rosy little 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


376 

cherub, delighted to have someone walk him about, 
waved his little hands and screamed with glee, wink- 
ing his bright eyes at the many twinkling lights now 
appearing on all sides. Lady Kathryn stood, with 
Doctor Godkins, not far off, watching the lighting up. 
As the Earl approached them she cried out: 

“Oh, here’s sweet little Jamie! My Lord, bring 
him near and let me kiss his dimpled cheeks and 
chubby hands. I am all joy at seeing the little pet.” 
She kissed his cheeks and his dimpled hands. Then 
the youngster, overjoyed at his surroundings, quickly 
stretching forth both his chubby hands, seized her by 
her bright brown curls, and, drawing her head up 
against himself, began to bang it unmercifully. 

“Oh, you wicked little tyrant ! Is that the way you 
treat young ladies who give you such sweet kisses?” 
the Earl said, trying to disentangle the dapper little 
fingers from amid her flowing hair. 

Raising her glowing face, Kathryn said to the babe, 
patting his soft cheeks: “Oh, you little rogue! I 
shall be more chary of my kisses hereafter, at least 
I shall not be offering to kiss every young nan I 
meet.” 

“You wicked Jamie,” said the Earl, “I shall take 
you back to your mother as a punishment for your 
rudeness.” 

Paying no heed to them, Doctor Godkins stood gaz- 
ing across the area where Lady de Bruce and Mrs. 
O’Neal were watching some arrivals, for the whole 
country had been invited in, to arrive about dusk. 

Having taken Jamie back to his mother, the Earl, 
returning, thought he would sit or walk with Kath- 
ryn, but found that she and the Doctor had repaired 
to a rustic seat in a sweet little nook overrun with 
wild rose vines. He went to receive some guests who 
were arriving. Many couples of young people who 
had arrived were promenading amid the lovely scenes. 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


377 


A minstrel’s gallery had been erected among some 
lovely trees, whence now issued richest strains of 
melody; and merry laughter echoed from the groves. 
Bright faces, illumined with happy smiles, in ecstasies 
of joy, flashed from place to place. 

Many long and hastily improvised tables had been 
spread for the noble guests, loaded with superb and 
delicious viands. A table for the nobility was also 
laid. 

Leaving the Doctor and Kathryn to themselves, and 
while lamplight with soft twilight did content and 
spread over all, like a shadowy dream, restoring to 
life’s prime old dowagers of sixty or more, and even 
Nymphs, that in the bright blaze of daylight were 
lovely to look upon, by the halo thrown around them 
became angels of light, the softening twilight bringing 
out many erstwhile hidden graces. The Earl, “on 
hospitable thoughts intent,” went forth to receive some 
new arrival, as a chaise drew up in the distance. A 
military-looking man descended, whom the Earl re- 
ceived with much cordiality and conducted across the 
area to the retreat where Kathryn and Doctor God- 
kins sat. 

“Who comes here with such courtly and military 
grace?” asked Guy of Louis, as they stood watching 
this new arrival descend from his chaise. 

“I fain would know,” replied Louis; “he appears 
like an officer, all bedecked in military magnificence, 
‘out braving Mars himself.’ ” 

“Only see, with what cordiality my Lord receives 
him. He’s some grandee.” 

“Gold laced hat, dancing plumes and glittering bal- 
dric — an Irish General, by Ceres !” exclaimed Louis, as 
His Lordship and the new arrival strode by and 
crossed the area, stopping at the rose-covered bower 
where sat Kathryn and the Doctor. 

The Earl introduced his friend as Major O’Connor, 


37 « 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


of His Majesty’s service, and gave him a seat near 
Kathryn and Doctor Godkins, requesting them to en- 
tertain him, while he himself went to seek his aunt, 
for whom the Major had enquired, saying: 

“Now, Major O’Connor, if you will keep your seat 
here, with my cousin and Doctor Godkins, who will 
entertain you, I promise you I will soon find my aunt, 
who, I can assure you, will be glad to meet an old 
friend.” 

Doctor Godkins, almost concealed by the vines, 
leaned forward so as to be seen, and said : 

“Major O’Connor, you know Mrs. — Mrs. O’Neal, 
then?” He had never called her name, and now pro- 
nounced it with some hesitation — softly. 

“F faith I knew her well in Lieutenant O’Neal’s 

lifetime. We were thrown together much” The 

Doctor drew back among the vines, and rested heavily 
against the back of the seat. Major O’Connor con- 
tinued : “But have never met her since a few days 
after he fell, now fifteen years. He fell gallantly 
fighting for the cause. I was but a lad then, nineteen 
years of age, and was Second Lieutenant in the com- 
pany. We were both under Captain Shane, who, 
poor man, was killed on the field the same day. My 
Captain and Lieutenant both falling in the same en- 
gagement, I was forced to take command. Yes,” he 
continued, though no one had spoken, “the whole 
responsibility now devolved on me. In the midst of 
a brisk engagement I was forced to take Captain 
Shane’s place. You may guess, chap as I was, it made 
my head swim to think of my responsibility in lead- 
ing the company out of that melee ; but, sure, we 
came out victorious. The Captain’s wife and Mrs. 
O’Neal were great friends, as was very natural, 
thrown together as they were, and their husbands 
being killed both at once, appeared to cement their 
friendship in a closer bond. When Mrs. Shane — 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


379 


poor, delicate creature — fell ill of grief, most likely 
Mrs. O’Neal, kind heart — like a ministering angel, 
hovered over and nursed her, taking all care of her 
and the little girl babe, just two years old, until she 
died — Mrs. Shane, I mean — of grief, no doubt — then 
Mrs. O ” Now the voluble Major was inter- 

rupted, for at this juncture the Earl reappeared with 
Mrs. O’Neal. The Major sprang to his feet and 
clasped her hand, saying, as he gazed into her face : 

“Can this be Mrs. O’Neal?” 

“Charlie !” she exclaimed ; “can this be Charlie 
O’Connor? Oh, how glad am I to see you again!” 
They shook hands warmly. The Earl gave her a 
seat beside the Major, where they sat in mutual ad- 
miration, each complimenting the other on youthful 
appearance and good looks. 

“You remember, Charlie, our last parting?” 

“What a sad parting was that !” 

“I, with the two babies ” 

“Sure ! The Captain’s baby — your protege, Mistress 
O’Neal — what became of the sweet little darling? 
Sure, she was the darling of the camp, and the Cap- 
tain’s delight!” 

“Oh, she is with me still ; I have kept her always, 
as her mother requested. There was no one else to 
care for her save her grandmother, who was old and 
feeble, and who soon died. I have had no trouble to 
keep her, and she has been a real comfort to me.” 

“But how blooming and happy you are looking now. 
Mistress O’Neal! I declare, I can scarcely believe 
you to be the same — so happy and bright ! I always 
thought you sad-looking, though the war caused so 
much sorrow those days.” 

“And you, Charlie; have never married?” 

“Oh, pshaw! No. An officer in the army scarcely 
has time to think of marrying, though I am old 
enough, I should think, at thirty-four.” 


3 8o EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“And growing gray, Charlie; your dark locks are 
a little tinged with gray.’/ 

“Yes ; while your soft hair remains just the same. 
And yet ” 

“And yet I am near two years your senior.” 

“And, Mistress O’Neal, where have you been all 
those years? And Rorey and Nora — where are they?’' 

“I remained ten years in Ayr, after you, with your 
company, left. Then my father died ; my mother had 
died some years before. My brother, the Baron of 
Weirwolf, sent for me to come to him at Weirwolf, 
his country-seat. For the past two years Rorey has 
been with his cousin, the Earl of Fleetwood, under a 
good tutor, while Nora and I have lived in Edinburgh, 
where I have kept her in a fine school, and can say I 
am not ashamed of either of my children. On the 
contrary, am rather proud of them.” 

After the Earl had given Mrs. O’Neal a seat and 
left her, Kathryn made repeated efforts to carry on a 
conversation with the Doctor, all to no purpose ; he 
appeared to be absorbed. She exerted herself, but 
he was distrait. He could not draw his mind away, 
but eagerly drank in all that was being said by the 
happy couple so near him, yet without intending to 
listen, Mrs. O’Neal knowing not of his presence. 

“Doctor, how much longer will you sit here as one 
paralyzed ; nor move, nor speak ?” asked Kathryn pres- 
ently, growing tired, and not feeling interested in the 
conversation of the two friends. 

“Fifteen long years ! Fifteen long years !” he 
groaned, in a smothered voice, Kathryn just able to 
catch his words. 

“Well,” said she, “if it is so long I will leave you 
to your fate and seek a more congenial partner.” On 
her departure, the Doctor, drawing his hat over his 
face, lounged full length on the seat, oblivious of 
all but the pleasant voices of the two beside him, he 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


38i 

being shut off from them by a screen of vines. Here 
he lay, helplessly listening while they continued their 
conversation. 

Kathryn met Rorey and told him of the handsome 
Major O’Connor, who was with his mother, who had 
asked about himself and Nora ; so he must go see who 
it was. His mother, getting a view of him as he 
stood at a distance scrutinizing the stranger, called 
him to her, and said : “Rorey, this is Major O’Connor, 
of whom you have heard me speak. You may remem- 
ber him.” 

“Oh! Is this the same cunning little Rorey? Sure, 
how he has grown to full manhood — almost !” 

“I do remember him,” said Rorey. “Captain O’Con- 
nor put me on his horse once, and held me on to have 
a ride.” 

“Oh, yes; yes!” 

“And how frightened you were, too, Rorey. 
Oh, ho! ho! ho!” laughed the Major, so jollily. 
“Rorey, I trust that we shall be friends, al- 
though our forefathers fought each other for years 
as independent princes for the supremacy in Ireland. 
Roderic O’Connor of Connaught disputed the suprem- 
acy with Thurlow O’Neal, who assumed the title of 
King of Ireland. But surely we may be good friends, 
Rorey boy; let bygones be bygones. Now what say 
you to this?” 

“Major O’Connor, I am willing to be your friend in 
all things, in so much as I know that my father and 
you were good friends,” Rorey replied, smilingly, re- 
turning the pressure of the Major’s hand. 

“Now, Rorey, run off and fetch Nora,” said Mrs. 
O’Neal. 

“A noble fellow ! No wonder you are proud of 
him, Mistress O’Neal,” said the Major, as Rorey set 
out with alacrity to inform Nora that Captain O’Con- 
nor, of whom they had heard so much, was come, and 


382 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


that he was now Major, and no longer Captain O’Con- 
nor. He found Nora romping on the beach with Edith 
Langhorn and Julien. 

“Come, oh, come, Nora!” he called; “there’s a hand- 
some and splendidly dressed Major — a military man — 
wishing to see you, and has sent me to fetch you.” 

“Oh, Rorey, how you talk, now! To see me?” 

“Yes, yes! Why should he not want to see you? 
He knew your father and mother, and played with 
us when we were wee babies.” 

“Sure, Rorey; are you fooling me?” 

“Not in the least. Come!” 

He took her hand and led her on, but when they 
had approached quite near she said : 

“Let go my hand, Rorey; you need not be leading 
me, as you did when we were children ; we are grown- 
ups now.” 

“Aye; but, Nora, you have been away from me so 
long,” he said, giving her hand a good squeeze be- 
fore he let go. “Here she is, mother.” 

All rosy she came from a romp in the grove, where, 
in her mirth, she had been, like a young gazelle, grace- 
fully bounding over the mossy heather — fair and rosy, 
with pouting lips, and hair of pale spun gold. Spright- 
ly, sylph-like, she stood before him, mischief spark- 
ling in her laughing eyes ; a perfection of young girl- 
hood, who had just attained that age at which she felt 
she must, perforce, act the lady. 

Major O’Connor, surveying her with astonishment 
and evident admiration, seized her hand and said : 

“My faith; is this, then, the little darling whom we 
all loved so much? Ah, Nora, sure you won all 
hearts when a little thing; how is it now? You slay 
them right and left, no doubt!” 

“Nora, this is our old-time friend Major O’Con- 
nor,” said Mrs. O’Neal, as she rose and gave Nora 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 383 

a seat beside him that they might have a talk, while 
she and Rorey went to seek Lady Hawren. 

Captain Arranton was walking aimlessly about when 
Louis met and accosted him : 

“Where now, my gay gos-hawk? ‘With all good 
grace to grace a gentleman,’ you present a melancholy 
appearance, Captain.” 

“Oh, ’tis nothing, ’tis nothing; only a passing 
shadow,” returned the Captain, mopping his brow with 
a dainty handkerchief. 

“I thought, i’ faith, you were in love. Indeed, your 
appearance suggests a lovesick swain. You should 
be more independent, Captain. An’ you love a lady, 
and she loves you not, you should not care. Why, if 
I love a girl and ‘she love me not, I care not. What ! 
Shall I look pale because the maiden blooms ; or sigh 
because she smiles on others? Not I, by heaven! 
I hold my peace too dear.’ ” 

“Come, Mr. Kearney ; you know not the complica- 
tions.” 

“Ah ; there’s little Flora going to sing for my Lord 
Gray. Oh ! ‘She is like a beautiful rose which, after 
a beautiful daybreak, expands its leaves to the first 
rays of the sun.’ See, she raises the lute which hangs 
by her side. She touches the strings with exquisite 
grace, and presents at this moment an ethereal pic- 
ture, in her evening toilet of soft drapery, like ‘woven 
snow,’ her sunny curls falling adown her snowy neck ; 
her eyes are forget-me-nots ; while 

‘The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, 

As daylight doth a lamp ! her eye in heaven, 

Would thro’ the airy region stream so bright, 

That birds would sing and think it were not night.’ 

“Behold, how she sits beside the noble Lord, like a 
sunbeam in a spring morning ! Hark ! Her voice is like 
that of a Syrian nightingale; and you know, Captain, 


3^4 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


it is said to have the sweetest voice of all God’s crea- 
tures! Lilies and roses; a blue eye; a cherry lip; a 
dainty ” 

'‘There, sir; I will hear no more of thy praises!” 

“Well, then, Lord Gray will appreciate them ; for, 
by Ceres! he loves her; and no wonder. She’s loved 
by all who know her ” 

“Cease, cease; leave me to my own reflections!” 
Louis turned away, leaving the Captain walking up 
and down, “full of rumination sad.” 

Now Kathryn had just left the Doctor’s side, in 
disgust at his mental condition, and, seeing Edwin, 
blazing in his new uniform, his sword clanking about 
his heels, walking in a grove to one side and wearing 
that look of “languor and listlessness of a person 
deeply in love,” she went to his side and said: 

“Cousin, I am glad to find you, but what can 
have happened to you, dear boy? This morning I 
thought I had never seen one wearing a happier ex- 
pression ; now you have the appearance of a rejected 
lover. Has the lovely Miss Bruneaugh turned against 
you? Surely not; for she adores the young Captain, 
and apparently does not think him any too youthful 
for herself. What have you done with yourself all 
day that I have not seen you, save at the noon meal on 
the greensward ; then you seemed devoted to Miss 
Augusta? What you can see or how you can be in- 
terested in that prim and peevish old maid I cannot 
understand.” And she looked him squarely in the face. 
He was looking afar, and in a dreamy manner he ex- 
claimed : 

“‘A blue eye; a cherry lip!’ Ye Gods ” 

“What! She has no ‘blue eye’ nor ‘cherry lip.’ 
She’s just a lean, tall, angular figure, with false 
curls, lank drapery, flounces and furbelows.” 

“Her voice is sweeter than the ‘trill of the nightin- 
gale in Persian valley.’ ” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 385 

“Cousin! What? Do you really admire the old 
maid?” 

“She has explored the nearest passage to my heart ! 
My love for her amounts to idolatry. Oh, that she 
were but wholly mine, an idol would she be, wor- 
shipped both day and night. Think of the bliss !” 

Kathryn studied his face. He looked haggard. In- 
stead of the side tresses and queue in which he had 
seemed to take such delight, his dark auburn locks 
fell in disorder over his shoulders. His eyes were 
fixed on the starry heaven ; he paid no heed to her. 

“Am I distraught; or is everyone else so? Surely, 
Edwin, you are beside yourself! Indeed, if you are 
so in love with this beauty, go find her, for I walk 
not with a man who pays no attention to me, but lets 
his thoughts run wild and his tongue proclaim the 
praises of another,” she said, turning away ; and soon, 
coming face to face with Louis, cried: 

“Ho, Mr. Kearney; how is it with you? Do you 
enjoy the scene?” 

“I am glad to meet with your Ladyship! The 
scene? Why, ’tis the sweetest on earth! ‘Not that 
sweet grove of Daphne by Orontes and the inspired 
Castalion Spring, might with this paradise of Eden 
strive/ ” 

“And, Louis, have you seen anyone since the eve- 
ning set in who seemed to be the least bit in love?” 

“Why, my Lady! In fact, I have met with none, 
saving your Ladyship, but who appeared to be en- 
tirely so! The glen is all love and light; there’s 
enchantment everywhere; and Cupids here amid the 
summer groves are numerous as leaflets on the trees. I 
Here are lovers plenty, who know the heart-touching 
power of a sigh or a gentle song accompanied with 
the soft notes of a lute. And there are Nymphs, 
too, who, ‘like nightingales, their lovesick ditties 
sing.’ ” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


386 

“Have you happened to meet Doctor Godkins?” 

“No, my Lady ; I see him nowhere astir.” 

“He’s distraught! I left him but now, sitting in- 
side a lovely bower. I did but ask him how long he 
would sit there, and he murmured, in a sepulchral 
voice, as one in a dream : ‘Fifteen years ; fifteen long 
years!’ Now what think you of that, Mr. Kearney?” 

“Indeed, and if that be love, he is far gone.” 

“And Edwin ; have you met him ?” 

“I have, my Lady; and he’s raving.” 

“Raving? Yes, raving! And all about Miss 
Bruneaugh. What think you of that, Mr. Kearney?” 

“Miss Bruneaugh ! Surely you do but jest !” 

“No ; he raves about her deep ‘blue eye and cherry 
lip’ ” 

“She’s a ‘too overblown flower’ for me. Tut, 
tut! Your Ladyship is misled. I know of whom he 
raves ; I probed him but now, myself. ‘A blue eye, 
a cherry lip!’” (Aside) “Ah, that touched him!” “But 
what new arrival is yonder? What a magnificent 
coach-and-six ! See, my Lord hastens to greet him. 
Oh, Lord Hawdon’s turnout! There’s his sister, the 
Baroness.” 

“His sister? Is she married, Louis?” 

“No, my Lady; a widow — a gay one at that. ‘As 
full of spirits as the month of May, and gorgeous 
as the sun at midsummer.’ Old Sir Peter Brund- 
ridge died some two years ago and left her a widow, 
gifted with the rich beauty of a Southron ; graceful 
manners, exalted rank, and immense wealth. But 
see; the moon in its full now rises in all splendor! 
The ‘refulgent lamp of night, 

“ ‘O’er heaven’s clear azure spreads her sacred light.’ ” 

But Kathryn was watching the Earl as he very 
courteously assisted the plump Baroness to alight, 
and gave her a most cordial greeting. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 


387 


FETE CHAMPETRE — CONTINUED. 

“All, all was luxury; 

All must be luxury, where Lyaeus smiles. 

- His locks divine 
Were crowned 
With a bright meteor-braid, 

Which like an ever-springing wreath of vine. 

Shot into brilliant leafy shapes, 

And o’er his brow in lambent tendrils played; 

While, mid the foliage hung, 

Like lucid grapes, 

A thousand clustering buds of light, 

Culled from the garden of the galaxy." 

The Earl, with a retinue of attendants, had met 
Lord Hawdon and his sister, the Baroness, with much 
warmth. The Baroness was gushingly happy, and 
said : 

“Oh, my Lord ! I am most happy to meet you once 
again, and amid such lovely surroundings. This scene 
is entrancing, and appears as the Feast of Lights of 
some great Mandarin. And how have you been, my 
Lord? Why, I have not had the pleasure to see you 
since the court ball last winter, when you were sum- 
moned so unceremoniously from my side,” she was 
saying, as he led her to a sofa upholstered with the 
richest velvet; where, seating her, he stationed two 
maids behind her with waving fans of glittering pea- 
cock’s feathers, and seating himself beside her, with 
a marked degree of grace and courtesy, he said, re- 
garding her flushed and happy face: 

“I am rejoiced, Lady Hermione, to see you look- 
ing so well.” 

“Oh, my Lord ; you mean that I look healthy and 
stout ?” with an inquiring glance ; for she was of good 
size, inclining rather to embonpoint, or plumpness. 
She was voluptuous, soft, dainty ; and had a richness 


388 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


of warmth and color. “Thank you; my health is 
good since coming to the Manor. This is indeed an 
excellent and most healthful country, and I do not see 
any reason why I should not remain here always.” 

“Oh, Lady Hermione, you misconstrue my mean- 
ing altogether; you really are more handsome than 
I remember to have seen you. I am sure you grow 
more lovely ” 

“Oh, there, there ; my dear Lord ! How you flatter 
one!” she said, blushing like any girl. “But, my! 
Who is that sweet maiden, naiad or nymph in com- 
pany with Lord Gray ; to whom my brother, Lord 
Hawdon, is now speaking ; with sunny locks and such 
heavenly eyes — in snowy tulle over a sky-blue satin 
petticoat ?” 

“My sister, Lady Hermione.” 

“Your sister, my Lord? I knew not that you had 
a sister.” 

“Oh, my Lady; she is my foster-sister. We were 
brought up by the same mother.” 

“Then, my Lord ; the superb one by her side, wear- 
ing a costume of figured satin, of ivory whiteness, 
who is now looking, coquettishly, up into Lord Gray’s 
face — with such a wealth of dark-brown curls?” 

His face was suffused, but Lady Hermione did 
not observe it, for she was looking at Kathryn. 

“She is Lady Hawren’s daughter — my cousin, Lady 
Kathryn Arranton, of Hawren.” 

“Oh, what a charming grace ! There ! Lord Gray 
is introducing my brother; she is speaking now to 
him. Oh, what a handsome couple they would make! 
With what admiration he seems to regard her — he 
manifests much pleasure. Oh, if George only would 
marry such a girl ! Ah, see, they walk away together ! 
She is as graceful as a sylph.” Looking suddenly up 
into the Earl’s face, she beheld with what earnest gaze 
his eyes followed after the graceful couple as they 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 389 

walked forth in the moonlight and disappeared adown 
a charming vista. 

'‘Ah, my Lord ; I suspect ” He met bravely the 

questioning glance from her bright eyes. 

“Suspect what, my Lady?” 

“She. may be your affianced.” 

“No, Lady Hermione ; I can say with all sincerity 
no lady has ever promised me her hand.” 

“No? My Lord, you looked after her with manifest 
admiration.” 

“I admit, Lady Hermione, I do admire handsome 
women.” 

Her fine eyes fell before his intense gaze. 

“My Lord, ’tis more than most men of your age 
can say, to assert that you have never had a woman’s 
promise. You would not pretend to say that you 
have never learned to love ; that you have not loved 
a dozen pretty girls ere this.” 

“Honestly, not a dozen.” 

“Then, mayhap you do love one.” Her soft eyes 
met his with a bewitching and melting expression. A 
crimson glow spread over his fair Saxon face, and 
his bright eyes expressed much love, for he was think- 
ing of Kathryn as he murmured softly : 

“I confess there is one ” He paused. She 

trembled, and asked : 

“Whom you do love?” 

“With all the ardor of my soul,” he said passion- 
ately. She toyed with her fan like a bashful girl, 
her hand trembled as she asked : 

“Then, she — my Lord, she loves you ?” 

“Oh, who can read the secrets of a woman’s heart ?” 

“Do not the eyes, my Lord, sometimes reveal the 
inmost thoughts? Do they not convey the intelli- 
gence?” she murmured softly, with a tender glance. 

“Woman’s eyes are deceiving; one moment they 
may express the deepest love, the next they will flash 


390 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

with scorn and disdain, and she will bid you leave. ,, 

“No, no, my Lord; where a woman truly loves, 
there is no such vacillation. There is nothing more 
constant than a woman’s love,” she said, with a sigh. 
He also sighed deeply. 

“Why that melancholy sigh, my Lord?” flashing 
him a soft glance. 

“If you loved one, you should not fear to tell her.” 

“Indeed, I would ! Man is a coward when it comes 
to declaring his love, especially when he feels con- 
fident of being rejected.” 

“Who would have taken you, my Lord, for such a 
coward! You should, at least, declare your love ” 

“Has not a woman the same ability to read the 
heart as has a man?” 

“Perhaps not. I would I had the power to read 
your heart and know who ’tis you so fondly love — 
if you could confide in one whom you know to be your 
friend ” 

“Alas! I have no friend who can help me. I 
scarcely dare to raise my eyes to one of so much 
beauty and such superb grace ” 

“Oh, tell me her name! I would most gladly ” 

At this moment they were invited to the feast. How 
she regretted being disturbed at this supreme moment ! 
How lovingly she leaned upon his arm as he con- 
ducted her to the well-loaded table! The subject of 
conversation was changed, and with all her art she 
could not induce him back to it ; for now it dawned 
upon his mind that she had been misled ; that, while 
his whole mind and soul were devoted to Kathryn, 
Lady Hermione had dared to hope that his love was 
hers. And he was too noble and honest to wish to 
deceive her. But, as Lord Hawdon was devoted to 
Kathryn for the remainder of the evening, he exerted 
himself to the utmost for the entertainment of the 
Baroness. And after enjoying the bountiful repast he 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


39 * 


led her to walk on the “lawny sands.” Then in the 
open moonlight they sat on a causeus. She had met 
Kathryn, and now said : 

I so much admire your American cousin, my 
Lord.” 


“She is from America, my Lady ; but is a native of 
France — Paris.” 

It is said that French women, as a rule, are 
equipped with grace and vivacity which all the world 
would be glad to emulate. I am sure your cousin, 
in this line, proves true the saying. See with what 
inimitable grace she moves ; her vivacity could not be 
excelled ; she’s brilliant — oh, she is coquettish, is she 
not? Now she accepts Lord Hawdon’s arm, and is 
going with him. Oh, she has an air elegant !” 

“It is said that gracefulness is an idea not very 
different from beauty, and consists in much the same 
thing.” 

“It is also said, my Lord, that beauty is the lover’s 
gift ; an object is said to be beautiful because it ap- 
pears so to the observer. Your Lordship must be an 
ardent admirer of the beautiful.” 

“I believe that beauty is identified with the good, 
and it is said: Beauty of soul is manifested in a 
beautiful character, and true beauty of face is possible 
only where there is beauty of soul. And I do con- 
sider Lady Kathryn’s a most excellent style of beauty, 
though hers is not, like Flora’s, beauty unadorned. 
Flora is a natural beauty ; she is perfectly lovely, un- 
der all circumstances and conditions, the same. Art 
in some cases ‘lends to beauty.’ ” 

“But, my Lord, to come up to your standard, not 
all of us could be considered beautiful ; we may lack 
this goodness you speak of.” 

“That was a quotation, my Lady.” 

“You said you believed it.” 

“Well, I do. Goodness beaming from the counte- 


392 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


nance indicates a beauty of soul, and renders the face 
of any more lovely.” 

“My Lord, someone says that the type of beauty 
differs in different nations/' 

“I know the ancients thought one to be beautiful 
must be fair. You, my Lady Hermione, being so fair, 
by them would have been considered a perfect beauty, 
as doubtless you are in the present age regarded by 
all who know you/' 

“Ah, my dear Lord, what an adept you are in the 
school of flattery! I can lay claim to no beauty, save 
in accordance to the Moorish standard ; for with them 
corpulency and beauty are synonyme. And I have 
heard, or read somewhere, that a Moorish woman 
with even moderate pretentions to beauty must be so 
stout that she cannot walk without a slave under each 
arm to support her, while a perfect beauty is a load 
for a camel/' 

“Fair Lady, wouldst know thy destiny,” said a 
croaking voice at Hermione’s elbow. Lady Hermione 
started, with a little frightened shriek. 

“Be not frightened, Lady Hermione,” said the Earl 
reassuringly ; “ ’tis but a gypsy mother who would 
read your future. Is it not true, mother?” 

“True, my Lord; but cross my palm with a bright 
piece o' silver, and I will reveal thy destiny, fair 
Lady.” The Earl dropped some coins in her extended 
palm. The old woman tossed back the long black 
tresses that flowed about her shoulders over her long 
bright scarlet cloak, which was confined at the waist 
with a sash or girdle of bright green. Lady Her- 
mione, reassured by the Earl, extended her hand 
tremblingly. The gypsy, seizing upon it, said : 

“Lady, thou art kind of heart and true. Thou hast 
had sorrow, but there is in store for thee much happi- 
ness. Thy pure heart will be given to one of high 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


393 

degree, much honored and beloved, and thou wilt be 
his idol.” 

“Oh,” said Lady Hermione, in a flutter, “this assur- 
ance is worth much! My Lord, extend your hand, 
and let us see.” 

“Fame, love, fortune await thee, my Lord; whom 
thou lovest thou wilt wed; she will make thee happy, 
and prove herself a famous wife and mother.” Now 
approached Kathryn and Lord Hawdon. The gypsy, 
turning to Kathryn, said: 

“Know, Lady, I have been endowed with the ability 
to disclose thy fate. Wouldst know thy future, but 
cross my palm with silver. I can open to you the 
secrets of fate.” 

“Take this,” said Lord Hawdon, “and let us at 
once know the Lady’s fate,” dropping a bright piece 
of silver into the clawlike hand of the gypsy. 

“No searching sorrow shalt thou know; no wear- 
ing grief ; but a life of sunshine and shadows ; smiles 
will quickly follow all your tears. There is a little 
coquetry in thy make-up, for which thou must suffer. 
A real lover is thy delight. A deadly enmity now 
prevails between two persons because of thee. A 
little self-willed thou art ; but he whom thou shalt wed 
will govern thee with so much kindness and consider- 
ate firmness that thou wilt be most happy and make 
a model wife and mother. Orange blossoms are now 
growing to crown thee for thy bridal.” Kathryn’s 
face flushed, the Earl’s was ruddy; Lady Hermione 
looked from one to the other. Lord Hawdon, extend- 
ing his hand, broke in with: 

“Come, come, Sibyl ; I will cross thy palm twice for 
thee, should you read me a destiny to accord with this 
you have just read the young lady.” And he thought : 
“How I should like to govern that sweet, self-willed 
one !” 

“My Lord, my mouth is closed; or I read that I 


394 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


see revealed in thy palm: Unhappy man; unstable, 
capricious! Thy destiny is to wed one whose heart 
will fondly cling unto another.” 

“Out upon thee for an old hag; thy tongue is loose 
at both ends and wags falsely. Betake thyself hence 
instantly !” cried Lord Hawdon, in a rage ; and he 
and Kathryn walked on. 

When time came for her departure, the Baroness 
declared with effusive praise, as the Earl handed her 
to her seat in her brother’s stately coach, that she had 
never spent so delightful an evening in all her life. 
It had been too delicious, a perfect Elysium to her, 
even surpassing the fete they had enjoyed together in 
Paris on the occasion of the coronation of the young 
French King, which, she declared, had not given her 
one-half the pleasure she had experienced on this 
blissful occasion. She expected to remain some days 
yet at Hawdon Manor; and would not his Lordship 
bring his lovely cousin and his sweet foster-sister to 
visit her? “And, my dear Lord, I must confess to 
you how delighted I should be, could your sweet cou- 
sin love my brother. I feel that a union of the two 
families in some way would be most desirable.” Then 
placing her hand in his, she said : “I hope to see you 
soon, my Lord.” He raised her hand gently to his 
lips, and the coach soon swept out of sight. 

With a sigh of relief, he turned straight to find 
Kathryn, thinking he would now enjoy a little of her 
society, then escort her back to the castle through 
the moonlit vista. We now return to the scene at the 
supper hour, and look in upon others of our party. 

Many had gathered around the richly laid banquet 
tables loaded with luxuries ; and all seemed young, 
with mirth and wit, love and joy. 

With nods of approval and smiles of joy, the mas- 
culine portion of the throng quaffed the genial fluid 
which sheds around that bouquet so delicious to the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


395 


olfactions of wine-bibers, the ruddy wine, blushing in 
crystal goblets, soon to deluge both heart and brain, 
while countless menials throng in and out. 

With moonlight and lamplight mingling overhead, 
what an intangible loveliness overspreads the scene! 
A1 fresco dancing was at its height. When called to 
the feast, Louis, who had been looking on at the danc- 
ing, observed to Guy: 

“ ‘Now from danse to sweet repast we’ll turn/ 
Here’s the unrestrained festivity of the rustic youth 
and maiden.” 

“ ‘Hark ! The breathings of a flute’s soft notes I 
hear.’ An’ I were you, Louis, I should find out the 
sweet source — I’d seek out the fair nymph who pours 
forth such artistic melody.” 

“ ‘How shall I dote on her with more advice, that 
thus without advice begin to love her.’ It gives de- 
light to my ear. 

“‘I’m all o’er love! 

Nay, I am love. Love shot, and shot so fast, 

He shot himself into my heart at last.’ 

“I’ll go seek the source of that silver-toned voice, 
and leave my duties here to my inferiors.’’ So say- 
ing, Louis strode away. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

LOUIS AND ROSA. FETE CHAMPETRE — CONTINUED. 

“Oh! while this heart, bewildered, took 
Sweet poison from her thrilling eye; 

Thus would she smile, and lisp and look, 

And I would hear and gaze and sigh.” 

“Ha, ha, ha!” Rosa’s silvery voice in laughter 
rang through the bosky dell. Near Chindara’s magic 
fountain she was seated on a green, mossy bank, in a 
becoming sylvan dress of sky-co lored silk, over a. 


396 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


white satin petticoat ; skirt short, as she usually wore 
it, scarce reaching the ankles of her red-heeled boots ; 
bodice close-fitting and jaunty. Her short hair fell in 
curls about her neck and in bouffons, held in place by 
small combs set with flaming carbuncle or antheax 
placed directly over each ear. A French horn hung by 
her side, while in her hand she held a pretty pearl- 
mounted flute. Here, under the soft influence of the 
wimpling fountain’s hidden music, she held her court. 
And here the boyish pages, on bended knee, in gay 
vests of variegated green and crimson hue, crimson 
sashes and lofty caps, whence dangled snowy plumes, 
who had been with her and Nora, tripping with fan- 
tastic tread through the mazy dance, were paying 
homage to her, as were a number of other swains, by 
whom she was surrounded ; and there was a romantic 
charm about her, captivating all. When Louis made 
his appearance she called out to him: 

“Art thou Dionysos, lord of the feast, fairer and 
brighter than the sons of men?” 

“I am Dionysos, god of the revel, my Ariadne.” 

“And dost dispense the nectar and ambrosial fruits, 
my joyous wine-god; and hast neglected thy Ari- 
adne?” 

“True! Oh, my Ariadne, weep not thou here with- 
out food, but come with me and thou shalt find ‘the 
festive mirth and wit that knows no gall!’ Oh, my 
Ariadne, I have loved thee long! Come thou and sit 
whilst thy Dionysos shall serve thee.” 

“Ha, ha, ha!” Her merry laugh again rang out 
like the rippling of a waterfall. Louis led her to a 
charming table near, while Rorey and Julien attended 
Nora. 

“Oh, what a blithe repast is here!” she cried. “A 
supper fit for the gods.” 

“Eat, daughter of Minos; and when thou hast 
supped shall not we then wander together on the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


39 7 


lawny sands and shelves where 'trip pert fairies and 
dapper elves’? Aye, into the moonlight we’ll wander, 
’mid the flowers, where we’ll sit and list the sounds 
of sweet music ; for to such ‘harmony the stillness of 
the night is most becoming.’ ” 

Louis, Rosa, Nora and the pages soon left the table 
and joined a group of merry ones, who surrounded 
the gypsy sibyl, and whose palms she had been read- 
ing. She was now speaking to Flora : 

“Thou art a wild rose that blooms in the hedge by 
the wayside ; of gentle nature, with a loving heart ; a 
jewel without price. Thou wilt have grief, poignant, 
but of short duration ; thence will your pathway be 
strewn with roses; for you will wed with the man 
whom you love so truly. He will give you an hon- 
ored name, a title, wealth, and rank.” 

“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Rosa. “Lord Phantomfell, 
no doubt, Flora.” 

The gypsy turned to her, saying: 

“Know, Lady, I am gifted with power to disclose 
thy future. I can open to you the secrets of fate, if 
thou but cross my palm with silver.” 

“Here, then,” said Rosa, extending her hand, “dis- 
close my fate; or but tell me if my lover loves me 
true.” 

“Thou art gentle, good-tempered, generous and 
pretty, but a wicked coquette; and thy coquetry thou 
wilt have cause to regret.” 

“But, good mother, is there one who loves me 
truly ?” 

“Lady, there is one who has loved thee truly since 
thy first meeting.” 

“Oh, I am rejoiced to hear that! It is all I wish to 
know. Ha, ha, ha!” 

The gypsy now approached Miss Bruneaugh, who 
drew back, saying: 

“No, no ; I do not wish to have my future disclosed 


89$ FXRL r 0F FLEETWOOD 

Kere ! Yet, I should like to know — yes, yes ; tell me — * 
all” 

“Lady, thou shalt marry for position, not for love. 
[He whom you love will wed another. Whom you will 
marry is of fickle mind ; but when once wedded to 
you he will be constant and true.” 

“How nice of you, Miss Augusta, to change a fickle 
man to one constant and true !” said Nora, extending 
her hand to the gypsy. 

“Here comes a chatterbox, a mirth-loving, happy 
disposition ; looking on the bright side of everything. 
Ever hopeful, merry sprite, thou will marry a soldier, 
who will love thee dearly.” 

“Ah,” sighed Rorey, “I must join the army at 
once !” 

“And I,” said Julien, “shall enlist immediately.” 

“Never mind,” said Nora ; “there are soldiers with- 
out you.” And she flashed on them a soft smile. 

“Oho!” returned Rorey. “The gallant Major! Ha, 
ha, ha!” 

“He, he, he !” laughed Julien. 

The gypsy fortune-teller now spied Edwin, who 
stood at a distance in a most dejected manner re- 
garding the group of merry young people, and went 
immediately to him. It required some persuasion on 
her part to even get a glimpse into his palm. But 
with a mere glance she said : 

“Noble sir, though now in deep despair with hope- 
less love and almost overcome with melancholia, there 
is in store for thee great happiness ; for you will wed 
the lady of your choice — someone here, perhaps,” she 
said, looking around and waving her hand toward the 
little group. “There’s a dark day before you ; but 
hope’s bright wings are fluttering over, and you shall 
prosper.” 

“Now, Mr. Louis, we will have yours,” said Rosa. 

“Never, never! My future is a sealed book, un- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


399 


less” — he said, tucking her hand in his arm and walk- 
ing away — “you reveal it yourself.” 

“Ha, ha, ha! I’m no gypsy to reveal your future, 
Mr. Kearney; I am not gifted in that line,” she re- 
turned saucily. 

“Your fairy godmother, it would seem, showered 
upon you at birth rich and varied gifts ; then cannot 
you tell me whether my little sweetheart loves me?” 

“Oh, when I do not even know that you have a 
sweetheart — but I do know that you have not !” 

“You malignant sprite, to say so, when I am ready 
to throw myself at your feet and pledge you my faith 
for life! Yes; ready to pledge you, even according 
to the practice of the natives of the beautiful land of 
Kathay, by saying : 'Black is the hair that now crowns 
our head ; yet, when it has become as white as the 
fibres of the onion root, we shall still be found faith- 
ful to each other.’ ” 

“Oh ! Ha, ha, ha !” laughed Rosa, her face flushing 
with pleasure. 

The moon had reached the zenith, the stars twin- 
kled in the sky. They could hear the gushing of the 
fountain, the warbling of voices, the dipping of oars. 
Rosa’s face was radiant with anticipation ; but Louis 
said no more, save: 

“Little sweetheart, you are a rara avis ; your love 
and your beauty would be a great gift to any man.” 
Then seeing the crowd dispersing, they walked on 
toward the castle, only chatting about the people 
they had seen on this occasion. But in that witching 
hour there still was another scene enacted. 

“Oh, music, thy celestial flame 

Is still resistless, still the same; 

And faithful as the mighty sea 

To the pale star that o’er its realm presides, 

The spell-bound tides of human passions rise and fall 
For thee.” 


400 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Melody from the minstrels’ gallery was stealing 
with entrancing sweetness on the ear. The fairy scene 
went on — eating, drinking, music and laughter. Grace- 
ful nymphs glided in and out among the sylvan bow- 
ers. The bright full moon was high overhead. 

Edwin had not been near Flora since the morning 
hour, when they together had gone so joyously to the 
beach. She had seen him at supper, apparently very 
attentive to Miss Bruneaugh, anticipating her every 
wish. Again he had passed her amid the throng, 
merely lifting his hat and bowing with a sickly smile. 
Now it was the soft, the magic hour of midnight. 
Soon the scene would close and all retire to rest. 

Never was a scene more bewildering, or music more 
entrancing. She had sung for Sir John Gray, accom- 
panying her voice with the silvery tones of the lute; 
then he had attended her to supper, and never had a 
lover paid more devoted attention to the queen of his 
soul. She had received, indeed, more attention than 
she desired ; for an undefinable unrest had taken pos- 
session of her. Her breast was filled with an unac- 
countable longing and yearning. After the gypsy 
had read her fortune, growing listless and tired, she 
withdrew from the throng, and dropped upon a sofa, 
where she sat half reclining, her hands over her eyes. 
And lulled by the tender strains of minstrelsy, she 
remained concealed by the flecking shadows. Soon 
she hears footsteps, then a tramping up and down not 
far away. She sat still, feeling secure in her shadowy 
retreat, so overcome with her own thoughts she gave 
no heed to aught else. 

Edwin had left the gypsy fortune-teller, and, retir- 
ing to a grove, walked up and down, while thus unto 
his soul he said: 

“The music of thy sweet voice still dwells on mine 
ear. Sweet echoes of the past, happy hours recalling, 
when in absorbing bliss I sat beside thee, without a 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


401 


thought of care! Oh, in what blissful ignorance I 
then reveled, visited by no such galling, sickening 
thoughts as now crowd upon my maddened brain! 
Leave her ! Not love her ! Only a delicate friendship, 
suggests my aunt. Ye gods! Is friendship then so 
sweet ?” After a pause in his soliloquy, during which 
he walks up and down like a raging lion, he addresses 
himself : “Oh, Edwin, art thou an Arranton ? Where 
is thy pride? Must a long and unsullied lineage die 
in thee? It shall not be! Dear aunt, thou hast as- 
sailed me in my weakest spot. Oh, what horror over- 
whelms my soul, when upon my mind rushes the 
vision of that villainous smuggler, an outlaw to the 
nation, a robber on the high seas ; a dishonorable, dis- 
reputable scoundrel, vulgar and coarse! True, dead 
he is ; and she has never seen him, never known him, 
never called him father; but think of the consanguin- 
ity, the characteristic qualities transmitted by descent ! 
A gentleman of blood and breeding — honorable birth 
— joined to one descended from impure blood, the 
transmission of a bloodthirsty nature! Oh, I could 
never ask her to be mine! That horrid vision would 
intervene and chill the marrow in my bones. Oh, I 
am, indeed, in a straight! My pride forbids that I 
should wed the sweet creature. And I must never 
speak to her again, save to bow and smile in passing, 
as I have done this day — which has seemed to me an 
age in length — and such an out I do make of it, try- 
ing to smile when my heart is dead within me. I 
fancy ’twas like the smile of a dead man. But my 
family pride forbids ; yet she loves me, she as much as 
admitted — so honest, so gentle, she cannot conceal it. 
Yes, I have won the love of the sweetest flower that 
ever bloomed! Is pride to crush that Heaven-im- 
planted love? Is it honorable to win her love then 
cast it away for pride? By Heaven, no! Suppose 
she loves as do I; and ’tis said that woman's love is 


'40 2 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


deeper, more lasting than man’s; must she be left to 
suffer as I now do ? God have mercy on my darling, 
the daughter of a smuggler! What conflicting 
thoughts do fill my brain! I cannot live!” Uttering 
a deep groan, he plunged through the growth inter- 
vening between the place where he walked and the 
sofa whereon Flora sat. 

Roused from her own thoughts by a deep groan, 
and starting up, she beheld Captain Arranton, arms 
folded upon his breast and head bowed down in a 
most dejected manner. Uttering a little cry, she sank 
back on the seat, her heart beating tumultuously, al- 
most overcome by her feelings. 

On seeing her, he exclaimed: 

“Flora, you here? Have I frightened you?” 

“Oh, yes, sir!” 

“Forgive me, will you — can you?” 

“Oh, yes; certainly, sir!” she said. He stood a 
while as if undecided. 

“May I not sit here beside you?” She signified as- 
sent by moving a little to one side. 

“Why are you here alone? I thought you were 
promenading with Sir John Gray.” 

“No, no! I was so — I felt so ” 

“So what, my — my — little friend?” 

“So tired of everything, and — and, wishing to rest, 
I came hither.” Then looking up into his face, she 
asked : “Are you ill ? Why did you groan ?” 

“Oh, I have been ill — I — have suffered!” 

“I am sorry.” 

“Have I, then, your sympathy in my— in my ill- 
ness?” His honest soul was unused to prevarication. 

“I assure you that you have, Captain.” 

“I thank you much. You are my friend. Sweet, 
gentle friend, how I love — your friendship !” he cried 
impulsively, taking her hand and pressing it to his 
lips. She withdrew it instantly; he had appeared so 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


403 


distrait of late. The shifting moon now looked 
through an opening between the boughs overhead 
and revealed to him her radiant face in all its beauty. 
She was exquisite, bright as an angel ; her sunny locks 
fell in curls down her shoulders. She raised her lovely 
eyes to his. He spoke not ; but in his raptured soul he 
thought: “Oh, what bliss to have once more those 
lovelit eyes beam into my own with all their comfort- 
ing sweetness ! Idol of my dreams, how blessed am I 
to look once more into those innocent, soul-thrilling 
eyes that burn their way, like molten fire, into my 
inmost soul!” “Flora, dear friend, why sit you so 
silent?” 

“How sadly sweet the music is to-night !” 

“Love you the sad, sweet strains? Flo — sweet 
friend, is’t that makes the tears tremble on your eye- 
lids, like dewdrops on the flowers?” 

“I have ever loved sad music.” 

“I love nothing that would bring tears to your 
glorious eyes.” 

“Are you not sad, Captain Arranton? What grief 
has caused the unhappiness which manifests itself 
upon your brow?” 

“Have you never heard, sweet friend, that when 
happiness is greatest grief is lurking near? I have 
been too happy.” 

“Can one be too happy?” 

“Too happy, Flora, when happiness is the harbinger 
of sorrow. Like the bright rainbow, its vivid colors 
burst forth to gladden our hearts with its glorious 
beauty; then come the dark clouds to obscure the 
bright vision, and the torrents of rain represent our 
tears.” 

“When first we met, only a few days ago, you were 
so happy I thought you could never look sad.” 

“When first we met I knew no sadness.” 


404 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“Surely I have not caused you to be unhappy, Cap- 
tain ?” 

“No, sweet friend ; no ! Shall we not wander forth 
into yon moonlit glen?” They rise and wander forth 
under the “bliss-loving moon,” and through a long 
vista of sparkling and trembling lights. Night birds 
sing sweetly overhead ; her voice falls sweetly on his 
ear, each note awakening anew the deep passion surg- 
ing in his breast; and, like a shower of living fire, 
words of love fell from his burning lips. They con- 
tinue to promenade until the scenes begin to close ; 
then he conducts her to the great hall, where he had 
opportunity to say: 

“Good-night, my Flora. May every joy this bright 
world holds be shed on thee. Calm be thy slumber, 
pure as angels’ thoughts be thy dreams.” And gal- 
lantly pressing her hand to his lips, he left her, and 
retired for the night, repeating in his heart : 

“Whate’er thou art, this heart adores thee still.” 

We will now look back on the moment when the 
Earl had bidden farewell to the Baroness and turned 
to seek Kathryn. He found her seated in the same 
little bower where he had seen her with Doctor God- 
kins ; but she was now alone and sad. On seeing him, 
she assumed a great dignity of manner. Raising his 
hat, he said : 

“May I not sit here beside your Ladyship?” 

“Really, my Lord, can you wish it?” 

“Assuredly,” he said, as he sat down. She re- 
mained in silent dignity. 

“How liked your Ladyship my Lord Hawdon?” he 
asked at length. 

“My Lord, I was delighted beyond measure with 
his charming manners,” she returned, with a degree 
of levity. 

“Glad am I that you like his Lordship, while I must 
admit you are easily pleased, my Lady.” 


405 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“Charmed, my Lord; charmed! He’s the pink of 
men! His light green coat, covered with the newest 
and best of embroidery, was bewitching. And what 
with a roseate spot on each paley cheek, suggesting 
the rouge-spot, he was irresistible. I was delighted! 
Even the points of his moustachios were dyed red; 
besides, I must admit, I always had a penchant for 
dark eyes. Then, my Lord, the white lace draped 
over his dainty, ringed hands was superb, and gave 
him an air grande .” 

“Will your Ladyship allow me to again suggest 
you are easily pleased ?” 

“My Lord,” she asked, with dignity, “is he not an 
high-toned and honored gentleman, of one of the best 
families ?” 

“Of a good family, I admit. He is honored, my 
Lady, and feared ; but little loved by any.” 

“Ah,” she sighed, “he appears lovable enough, my 
Lord !” 

“Your Ladyship should be careful not to love him, 
anyway.” 

“Not love him, my Lord?” she asked archly. 

“No. It is said he is to marry a distant cousin, 
according to an agreement entered into by her father 
and his,” he returned. s 

“I should dislike to be forced to marry one whom 
I could not love.” 

“He is not forced to this union; but in case he re- 
fuse to wed the young lady, he forfeits a fine estate, 
besides a vast sum of money from her uncle, the 
Marquis de Sainte Veran, Archbishop of Paris.” 

“My Lord, do you think he will do it? He seems 
not the kind of man to be managed in this way ; he is 
too charmingly independent.” 

“No; unless, on meeting her he should be well 
pleased, for they have never met and are not to meet 


40 6 ! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

until she is eighteen ; then he is to marry Lady Leda 
de Cherrier or not, as he please/' 

“My Lord, suppose she, on meeting Lord Hawdon, 
should refuse to carry out the agreement ” 

“In that case he is to receive the whole estate." 

“In case they both refuse, my Lord?" 

“The estate will go, at the death of the old Marquis, 
with his vast wealth and his title, to a hair-brained 
nephew." 

“My Lord Hawdon will never yield to this strate- 
gem for marrying off, possibly, an undesirable per- 
son," she declared testily. 

“My Lord Hawdon’s income is not so ample but he 
may be willing thus to increase it, however undesir- 
able " 

“There! You shall not speak thus of my friend, 
to me, at least — excuse me!" She rose and dashed 
away, joining Lady de Bruce and Mrs. O’Neal, who 
were walking on toward the castle. 

The Earl stood for a while transfixed ; then, with a 
profound sigh, he followed slowly on. 

The festivities had continued, without cessation, 
until midnight ; the guests had begun to depart ; and, 
to use the words of one of our sweetest writers, “the 
solemn hour of one had long since sounded on the 
ebon ear of night" ere the magnificent scenes closed. 
And this fete was pronounced by all a brilliant social 
event, a grand success. 

# 4 * 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

IN THE GROTTO. 

“Slumber, oh slumber, if sleeping thou makest, 

My heart beat so wildly, I’m lost if thou wakest. 

Breathe not, oh, breathe not ye winds, on her cheeks, 

If mute thus she charm me, I’m lost when she speaks.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


40 ? 

On the following morning, after the chaplain had 
held prayers in the great-hall, the Earl led the way 
to the dining room with Mrs. O’Neal and placed her 
near Lady Hawren at the foot of the table. As he 
returned to the upper end of the table he met the other 
couples entering. 

Captain Arranton was with Rosa ; Guy handed 
Lady Kathryn to her place at the Earl’s right, Julien 
placing her chair. Major O’Connor accompanied 
Nora ; he joked and she quarreled all the way. Louis 
placed Flora beside Kathryn. After all had been 
placed according to their stations, Mr. Galbraith, the 
visiting clergyman, said grace. 

Major O’Connor, who sat near the Earl, asked: 

“How are you feeling, my Lord, after the success- 
ful termination of your grand fete champetre ?” 

“Why, I can assure you, Major, I am feeling not 
at all well.” 

“How is this, my Lord, after such a rich time as we 
had? I should expect to find you resting in blissful 
satisfaction.” 

“Truth of it is, Major, I could not sleep, but spent a 
restless night.” 

“Oho, troubled with insomnia! Indeed, then, you 
should have at once set about reading a Psalm or re- 
peating a prayer.” 

“I did not know that reading Psalms or prayers 
would act soporiferously.” 

“Indeed, then, I once had a friend who was a priest 
by the name of McEunish, who was much troubled 
with insomnia, and averred that he could not sleep. 
‘No odds on which side I turn,’ he said, ‘the divil a 
bit av slape can I get!’ Upon this a good friar, who 
well knew the soporific virtue of his beads and brev- 
iary, said to him: ‘Indeed, Father McEunish, I nivver 
slape soundly, save whin studying me sarmon or say- 
ing me prayers. Let us noo begin the sevin peniten- 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


40& 

tial Psalms, and see if you do not very soon enjoy 
the drousy effect/ The idea pleased my friend Mc- 
Eunish well enough; so they began at the first of 
these Psalms, and by the time they had reached ‘Beati 
Quartus’ they were both sound asleep/’ 

“Then, Major, you would advise the next time I am 
so troubled I should resort to this method of the good 
friar’s in order to get some rest?” Turning suddenly 
toward Kathryn, he caught on her face a look of ten- 
derest sympathy, which was immediately changed to a 
flush of indignation as their eyes met. But anger 
seemed only to awaken a new beauty in her dark eyes, 
which at once took on a darker dye, from the shadow 
of whose depths flashed forth an expression of her 
deep feelings. She felt a pang of jealousy which she 
could not repress. She had never realized anything 
like it before. She had been miserably piqued by his 
exclusive attention to the Baroness on the evening 
previous. Having felt that his love was all her own 
and that he was hers, if she would but speak the word, 
she had never dreamed of any one robbing her of him ; 
and felt that it was just heaven to have him near and 
to receive his adoration, never realizing what would 
be the ultimate end. Though she loved him with all 
her soul, she was resolved never to break the promise 
she had made. Feeling thus piqued by his attention 
to the Baroness, she had flirted with Lord Hawdon, 
praised, and pretended great friendship for him, when 
really she cared nothing for him, in turn to pique the 
Earl. The conversation around the table continued; 
no one but the Earl noticed the angry flash of her 
eyes. 

“What is your programme for to-day?” asked the 
Doctor. 

“I think, Doctor, there’s to be a dinner at the west 
end of the headland in a grove near the little grotto, 
where we dined yesterday. We are to have a dinner 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


409 


of small game, and the boats are to be brought around 
for a visit again to the little Fairy Isle. I believe this 
arrangement suits the ladies ?” 

“Yes, yes!” all exclaimed, save Kathryn, who re- 
tained a dignified silence which none but the Earl 
observed. 

On the beach some hours later the Earl said: 

“Guy, I feel that I require an interval of rest, and 
will betake me to the grotto and respite me with a 
little sleep, while you and Captain Arranton will see 
to conducting the ladies over to the island and back. 
You will not be long gone?” 

“No, my Lord ; about two hours, then return to 
dinner,” said Guy, as he started to fill his commission. 

A little back in a “heavenly forest, dense and living 
green,” men and women were engaged in baking and 
roasting meats for the noonday meal, which was to be 
enjoyed on the beach. Their lively jokes and merry 
laughter rung out over the waters. 

A few paces up the strand Kathryn lay com- 
placently among the cushions, fast asleep, in the 
grotto. She had been in a bad humor besides having 
headache. Her mother and companions had urged 
her to accompany them in the boat ride to the little 
Fairy Isle for lilies; but no, she was ill, had head- 
ache! After they had gone to the boats Marie went 
outside and walked sadly up and down along the 
sandy beach. She stopped and wept, wishing very 
much to go with the others; but was unwilling to 
leave her Mistress. 

“Why, Marie! Why weep you here? What ails 
you? And why are you not with the other girls?” 
She turned quickly and met the Earl’s sympathetic 
face. Drying her eyes, she said: 

“Milord, Ee cannod go wiz ze ozzers.” 

“Why can you not go with the others, Marie? 
Where is your Mistress?” 


4io 'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“Milord, zhe ees een the leetle grotto; zhe haf ze 
headache, and zhe haf nod gone wiz ze ozzers ; zhe 
ees nod well to go, and I must remain wiz her.” And 
the poor girl again wiped her tears away. “Zhe tell 
me doo go on wiz dose, dat zhe iss not ’fraid here 
alone. But I me vill nod leaf her alone; seek, too.” 
The Earl was all sympathy, and he said : 

“Marie, you go; run along now; you are in plenty 
of time, for they have not yet started. Run along 
and go with them ; I will remain here and let nothing 
trouble your Mistress.” 

“Oh, haf dey not yet starte?” 

“No, no! You have plenty of time; run on! I 
will tell her you have gone.” 

The happy girl needed no second bidding ; but 
bounded away, and reached the landing just in time 
to hop into the stern with Hortense, Hilda and Laura, 
and was not noticed by any of the others. 

Up and down the gravelly beach paced his Lord- 
ship, his arms folded across his breast, his eyes upon 
the ground ; and he said : 

“I believe I have succeeded ! She is angry — yes ; 
she is jealous! I will know my fate; yes, this day! 
Promise? What promise, and to whom? I shall 
know ! But, poor child, she is ill ! I will but go now 
and tell her that Marie has gone, and will then call 
Phyllis to attend her here, if she needs any one. Yet 
I may find her in a better humor, and have a talk with 
her even now ; else will wait till she does feel better. 
Ah, yes ! I will get her in my little boat toward even- 
ing — she cannot remain angry long — and take her 
out to the little isle alone, and will know my fate. 
Yes, I will know what that ‘promise’ is.” 

Reaching the entrance to the grotto, he paused ; for 
Kathryn, as we have said, lay sweetly sleeping among 
the cushions. As he gazed upon her he fell into a 
gentle rhapsody, thus : “Her eye is closed ; sleep sits 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD. 


41 1 

upon her brow. She sleeps nor dreams of harm. 
‘Sleep give thee good rest!’ Unto thy loving eye, my 
gentle friend, sweet and peaceful sleep has come that 
cometh not to me. And while thou sleepest softly I 
will watch and defend thee. ‘ Tis sweet to watch for 
thee — alone for thee/ ‘Come, gentle dreams, the hour 
of sleep beguile,’ to her for whom in vain I sigh. Oh, 
that I might watch to see thy waking smile ! Beauti- 
ful sleep! But so like death, I tremble with affright! 
Awake, my angel, and chase away from me this fear- 
ful thought ! Unclose thine eyes but for one moment 
on the light ! No ! Sleep give thee good rest ! How 
divinely her long, dark hair floats over the pillow ! 
She smiles — ’tis some sweet dream. I must haste 
away ere she awakes. She would indeed be angry 
were she to open her eyes and find me here. I will 
walk up and down here until she shall wake, then 
will speak to her.” 

After walking a little he paused where a clump of 
wild-rose vines loomed up between him and the grotto 
where he had a view of the small island which now 
presented a fine spectacle. The boats were tied up, 
all had disembarked, and were moving hither and 
thither, stooping and bobbing about in the greatest 
glee, gathering flowers. Now and then he could hear 
their voices, raised to a high pitch. He started to 
walk again, his eyes bent upon the sand at his feet. 
Hearing a little shriek, he turned quickly, and saw a 
figure disappearing in the copse beyond the grotto. 
Badly frightened, thinking something had happened 
to Kathryn, he rushed to the entrance, and beheld her, 
standing, in the centre of the cavern, her hands clasped, 
her lovely hair streaming about her shoulders, a look 
of terror on her sweet face. 

“What, oh, what has happened? Pardon, Lady 
JCathryn. What has frightened you ?” 


412 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Oh, my Lord!” she gasped. “Pm — so glad — you 
are here! It was a villain — the villain, my Lord.” 

“Where was he, Lady — cousin?” 

“Oh, there, just where you now stand!” 

“I saw him disappearing across the little streamlet 
here. Shall I pursue him?” 

“Oh, do not leave us! I should die of fright!” 
She extended her hands to him. He took them, and 
said: 

“Sit down and be composed ; you are all of a 
tremor.” He placed her, on the seat and sat beside 
her. 

“Tell me all about it — I feel that I should go in pur- 
suit ” 

“No, my Lord; no! Do not leave me!” she cried, 
clinging to him. 

“Perhaps he meant no harm ; he may be one of the 
peasants of the neighborhood.” 

“Possibly. My Lord, I thought you were on the 
isle. Have they returned?” 

“No, not yet. Oh, I did not go with them !” 

“Not go? Oh ” 

“How is your head?” he asked solicitously. “You 
had headache?” 

“I was so frightened — I believe it is better.” 

“You were going to tell me?” 

“Yes, sir ; I had a headache, and could not accom- 
pany them. I was not in a good humor, anyway.” 

“Your sweet temper was ruffled?” 

“Yes, sir; so they left us. Marie is a sweet nurse. 
I lay down among the cushions, and she kneeled by 
me and rubbed my head so gently I soon fell asleep. 
I had not slept long when I had such a dream! I 
thought a wretch had caught me and was dragging me 
away. The dream so frightened me that I woke ; and, 
opening my eyes wide, I beheld a villainous-looking 
man just stepping in the doorway as I woke. I knew 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


413 

Marie was somewhere here, but was so frightened 
that I screamed. He looked around, and, appearing 
to see someone, fled. Where were you, my Lord?” 

‘‘I was not far off, walking on the beach.” 

“Oh, my Lord, how fortunate you happened to be 
so near ; Marie and I would both have been frightened 
to death!” 

“I had hoped that your dreams would be sweet and 
peaceful.” 

“Sir?” 

“I saw you sleeping, and breathed a prayer to that 
effect.” 

“How — you saw me sleeping?” 

“Yes, my Lady; and thought an angel could not ap- 
pear to sleep more sweetly.” 

“Why did you come here, sir; to see me sleep?” 

“My Lady, I came not to see you sleep ; but found 
you sleeping. I came on an errand.” 

“What errand, my Lord?” 

“I came to say that Marie has gone with the boat- 
party to the little Fairy Isle.” 

“No, no! You mistake, my Lord! She sits but 
outside here, with her fancywork ; she wished to go, 
yet would not leave me.” 

“But I sent her, my Lady ; she stood outside weep- 
ing, and when I asked her why she had not gone she 
said that you were ill and she could not leave you all 
alone. I bade her go, saying that I would assume 
her gentle office ; in her absence would guard and 
protect you.” 

“You sent my maid away, and left me here alone !” 
She suddenly remembered that she was angry. 

“Oh, not alone! For I walked the beach, nor 
stopped but for one moment, when I stood beside a 
clump of rose vines to note our friends on the isle 
culling flowers.” Her cheeks flamed with indignation. 

“My Lord, you have placed me in a ridiculous atti- 


414 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


tude to send away my maid when I knew nothing of 
it, then come here to keep me company. Oh, what 
will my friends say? That I claimed to have head- 
ache and remained here alone to have a tete-a-tete 

with you. I — I ” She choked up with anger, 

remembering, too, how he had devoted himself to the 
Baroness, for which she was already indignant. “My 
Lord, I took you — I thought you to be a gentleman, 
sir!” 

“My dear cousin, I implore pardon!” His voice 
was soft and reverent, as with courtly gallantry he 
raised her hand and would have kissed it but she 
wrenched it from him. 

"I did not go to the island, my Lady,” he said ; “but 
I supposed you had gone ; and, feeling that I required 
a little rest, came here to recline me a little.” 

“Then, sir, I regret very much that I was occupying 
your place and have deprived you of the rest you so 
much needed.” 

“I beg to assure your Ladyship that I do not regret 
it ; and would also assure you that nothing induced me 
to remain, instead of going with the boats party, but 
that I desired a little rest. And the reason why I 
sent Marie was because of my sympathy for the poor 
girl.” 

“She was not compelled to stay, for I had told her 
she could go.” 

“But, dear cousin, the good girl would not leave 
you alone ; and when I assured her I would guard you 
from all harm she bounded away, happy as a bird. I 
have watched over you most faithfully, and when I 
turned on the ruffian he went crashing through the 
undergrowth ; and glad was I to be near to render you 
this small service.” 

“You have wronged me, my Lord!” she said, with 
an angry flash. 

“My sweet cousin, your mood to-day seems fan- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


4i5 


tastic and changeful. But now you were almost over- 
come with gratitude that I should happen to be near 
you in time of trouble ; then again you would that I 
had not come. In truth, I much believe some slight 
breeze hath ruffled your amiable temper, and that my 
Diana was sulking in her tent. Now, if I have 
wronged you, sweet cousin, on bended knee I will sue 
for pardon. Dear one, are you truly angry ?” 

“My Lord, I cannot — will not forgive you, though 
you sue on bended knee ; you have offended beyond 
pardon, as your Lordship will find to your cost,” she 
said, with great dignity. 

“My Lady, I will go, and send Phyllis to you.” 

“You will please to leave me!” 

A hot flush passed over his fine face. He rose to 
go, the bright masses of soft hair falling like floating 
rays of light around his broad shoulders, his hand- 
some head held high in the air ; and, with an air of 
extreme hauteur, he paused in the entrance. 

She rose, her face and lips a livid crimson. With 
hat in hand he made a courtly bow, and she swept him 
a grand curtsey. With a soft, sad glance he passed 
from the broad entrance, while with kindling cheek 
and glance of fire her eyes followed him until the 
great clump of wild-rose vines cut off her view. 

She was nervously sensitive ; an involuntary shud- 
der ran through her frame, and she sank upon the 
bank of cushions in a flood of tears. 

As the Earl walked down the sandy beach he mut- 
tered : 

“My sweet Xanthippe ! My sweet Xanthippe ! You 
shall find me no Socrates in patience and submission ! 
I have been too gentle ! I must have more force and 
more independence. How prudish the women are, 
and what high notions of propriety they have these 
days !” And drawing his hat over his face, he strolled 


4i6 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


leisurely toward the grove, where preparations for a 
great feast were in progress. 

Old Phyllis and little Sandy were out on one side 

picking some birds. 

‘‘Look heah, Honey, you hafter do dat wurk good 
or not at all; you jis git ebery pinfedder! Dese here 
birds is fur de quality ter eat, chile.” 

“Why, Miss Phyllis, this her’n is clean as’t can be; 
hunly lookey.” 

“Giv’t hur, chile! Humph! You call dat clean? 
Jes’ look at de pinfedders! You ’spect quality gwine 
ter eat fedders? You trifling no ’count ” 

“Phyllis! Phyllis!” 

“My Lord’s a-callin’ of yer, Miss Phyllis!” cried 
Sandy, whose eyes were everywhere save on his work. 

“Sarbent, Master — my Lawd!” said Phyllis, as she 
rose and made an effort at a grand curtsey. 

“Phyllis, you know where the little grotto is?” 
asked ,the Earl. 

“Up heah, my Lawdship, whar de Ladyships goes 
ter ress ?” she asked, indicating the direction by point- 
ing with her finger. “Yes, Master; dat li’le cave up 
dar, wid all dem pillers, an’ sum churs an’ a couch.” 

“Yes, Phyllis ; your Mistress is there. She is ill and 
wants you to remain with her until her mother returns 
from the island.” 

“ ’Deed ! Didn’t my baby go wid her muther an’ all 
the ress, Master — my Lawd?” 

“No ; she was not feeling well, and could not go. 
You will go and stay with her, Phyllis?” 

“Dat I will, my Lawdship! Dat I will, Honey, go 
an’ tec keer of my baby while she ma is gone !” And 
Phyllis hastened along toward the grotto, murmur- 
ing as she went: “I doan keer if I doan do nary 
nuther lick ob work to-day! I’se gwinter stay wid 
my baby-chile.” She found Kathryn lying among 
the cushions, her hands clasped over her eyes. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


4i 7 


“Why, bress my soul, Honey, what yer doin’ here 
alone? I thought yer done gone wid my li’le Missy 
in de boat out yonder to de li’le ilun.” 

“No, Phyllis, I could not go ; I had such a headache. 
I slept very little last night. I think that caused my 
head to ache so.” 

“Whar dat triflin’ French gal? She dun gone an’ 
leab yer?” 

“You don’t mind staying with me, Phyllis, do you?” 

“Dat I doan, Baby! I doan keer ef I doan do a 
nuther thing to-day but stay rite here an’ nuss my 
li’le Baby. Honey, what you want me to do fur you?” 

“Bring me a little water, Phyllis, from the stream- 
let there; wet this handkerchief, and put it on my 
head.” 

“Dat I will, Honey ! Dat I will !” Phyllis brought 
water, and, saturating the handkerchief, gave it a 
little squeeze, and after bathing Kathryn’s flushed 
face folded it and placed it on her hot brow. Kath- 
ryn watched her motions interestedly ; and when Phyl- 
lis seated herself and began to fan her, asked : 

“Phyllis, who sent you here?” 

“Why, bress you, Honey, ’twas my Lawdship, de 
gret Yearl! He tole me yo was here sick, Honey, all 
alone. Dat skand’lous Marie, to go off an’ leab yer!” 
she said indignantly. “He des fine gent’mun, sho 
nuf!” 

“Who, Phyllis?” she asked, knowing well enough, 
but wishing to draw Phyllis out and see what she 
would say. 

“De Yearl, Honey; my Lawd Clifton; dat who! 
Da ain’ nobody what kin kum up wid him, no dey 
ain’t !” 

“Phyllis, he’s angry with me.” 

“What, now, Honey! What you been do to him 
ter mek him angery wid yer? He de finest gen’mun 
in de wurld!” 


4iS 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“He’s offended, Phyllis!” And Kathryn put her 
hands over her eyes to hide her tears that rolled down 
in spite of her. 

“Teck keer, Honey, you doan make him mad ’long 
of you for good an’ always ; I tell yer he’s not de 
kine dat’s gwine ter whine ’roun’ a ’oman always. He 
not gwine ter stan’ hit — he’s too proud an’ high- - 
headed. You take keer, Honey ; mine what I tell yer !” 

Some time later, when the boating party had re- 
turned and were arranging for dinner, the Earl went 
to Mrs. O’Neal and said: 


“Dear Aunt Mary, will not you arrange a dainty 
little repast on a tray and send it to Lady Kathryn, 
who is a little ill? She is in the grotto, and will not 
be out for the noon meal. I will take pleasure in as- 
sisting you.” Then he arranged a selection of flow- 
ers which he placed in the centre of the tray, and, 
after adding an urn of Napoli di Malvasia, a sweet 
red wine, very delicate, having a peculiarly rich and 
delicious bouquet, he handed the tray to Marie, say- 
ing: 

“Marie, take this to your Mistress ; and mind that 
you put her in a good humor ; will you, girl ?” 

“Oui — ess, ess, Milord ! I will do zat !” 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 

THE VILLAIN. 

“I rose anone, and thought I woulde gone 
Into the woode to hear the birdes sing, 
Whan that the misty vapour was agone, 
And clear and faire was the morrowing; 
The dewe, also, like silver is shining 
Upon the leves, as any baume swete, 

Till fiery Titan with his persant hete 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


419 


Had dried up the lusty licour newe, 

Upon the herbes in the grene mede, 

And that the floures of many divers hewe, 

Upon his stalkes gon for to sprede, 

And for to splaye out hir leves in brede 
Againe the sunne, gold-burned in his spere, 

That doune to hem cast his beames clere.” 

In the afternoon, when shadows were lengthening, 
Lady de Bruce with a train of damsels started for a 
walk adown a fairylike vista. And where the mur- 
muring waters fell softly on the ear in a deep ravine 
that lay darkling in the shady dell upon a green, mossy 
bank all covered with flowers, the maidens sat them 
down, charmed by the splashing and gurgling of the 
brook. 

Lady de Bruce, not caring to stop, continued walk- 
ing on alone for a short distance, and just as she 
turned around a clump of coppice a rough and coarse- 
looking man appeared immediately in her path. Spell- 
bound, for a moment she gazed, then uttered a shriek. 
The man disappeared amid the undergrowth. On 
hearing the shriek, the maids ran to her assistance, 
and after she had told them of meeting with the man 
they hastened back with her to where the others were 
gathered on the beach, where she told them of the 
man she had met, who was a coarse-looking man and 
heavily armed, who, she supposed, was prowling 
about for no good. 

A number of the men straightway armed them- 
selves and started in pursuit. Now Lady de Bruce 
was found to be in a state of great excitement; and, 
fearing she might swoon, Lady Hawren and Mrs. 
O’Neal hastened with her to the little grotto, where 
she reclined among the cushions ; for Kathryn was 
now out with Doctor Godkins in a small boat, pleas- 
antly sailing toward the little Fairy Isle. Wiping her 
streaming eyes, Lady de Bruce said: 


420 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Dear Mary, I have seen that man before !” 

“Do you think so, Marjorie ?” 

“Oh, yes, yes ! I know he is the same — the heavily 
armed man whom I saw on the beach eighteen years 
ago. I met him then, just as I did to-day. I was 
walking with my maids on the strand, watching a 
small brig some distance at sea. The nurse, with my 
little Majorie, just ten months old, was sitting on a 
mossy bank, looking off at the brig, while the maids 
and I walked away some distance. They gathered 
flowers and chatted pleasantly. I, thinking on my 
husband’s absence, walked on, and as I turned round 
a clump of hawthorn I met, I am sure, the same I 
have just seen, a heavily armed man. I was badly 
frightened, and ran back to the maids, where I sank 
down from sheer fright. Then thinking of the nurse 
with my babe, we ran hurriedly to the spot where they 
had been left; and were horribly frightened to find 
the nurse lying prone upon the ground as if dead, and 
my child nowhere to be seen.” 

“Was the nurse killed?” asked Lady Hawren. 

“No; there was a great contusion on her head, 
showing that she had received a heavy blow and had 
been knocked senseless. When she regained con- 
sciousness we could get no account from her. It ap- 
pears she had been struck without having seen the 
assailant, and the child carried off without her ever 
knowing it. We were frantic, and ran up and down, 
screaming; but there was no help near, for we were 
a full half mile from the Hall. When the thought 
dawned upon me that my little Majorie was indeed 
stolen, I swooned away, which made it all the worse; 
for the maids were wild with excitement and knew 
not what to do. But after a while one of them ran 
to the Hall and notified the servants, who came and 
searched the beach for miles ; and reported they had 
seen no living soul, save two men far out on the sea 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


421 

heading for the brig which we had seen. And oh % 
Mary, the man whom I have just met I know to be the 
same I met on that day! I suppose that just as I 
met him his companion knocked the nurse senseless 
and took my child. But why, oh, why, did they take 
my little Majorie? Oh, could the men but capture 
him and discover what was done with my little dar- 
ling! Now I feel that evil hovers over us, in some 
form. ,, 

“Oh, do. not apprehend evil, dear Lady de Bruce; 
but try and compose yourself to a little rest,” said 
Lady Hawren. 

Soon the men returned, unsuccessful, having seen 
no man at all suiting the description givemby Lady de 
Bruce. 

Lady Hawren, having stepped outside the grotto to 
hear the report of the men, looking seaward, saw with 
dismay Edwin shoving off in a little boat, alone with 
Flora, toward the little Fairy Isle. All day he had 
refrained from going near her, for he was distraught 
with contending emotions. He had been so very 
wretched since his aunt had revealed to him Flora’s 
low birth, which had been a deadly stroke; his pride 
came to his rescue, and he resolved he would never 
meet her again, even in friendly converse; he felt he 
could never associate with her, holding the relation 
of “a delicate friendship,” as suggested by his aunt. 

But on accidentally rushing into her presence on 
the night previous, at the last hour of the fete, and 
having spent an hour of almost perfect bliss wander- 
ing with her in the moonlight, he had felt that his 
pride must yield. But this morning, after a sleepless 
night, pride came again to his rescue; he determined 
to risk no more private talk with her, and only to 
meet her hereafter in the crowd. All day he had 
struggled with his pride, seeing her sylphlike form 
floating in and out; hearing her charming voice in 


422 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


joyous song — for she was happily unconscious of his 
trouble. He had, on the night before, declared his 
love a dozen times, though each time had checked 
himself and had not asked her love in return. But 
now the sun was dipping in the west, and many boats, 
laden with young people, were afloat on the lake. 
Flora had refused to go with the others ; and sat on a 
little bank all alone. Here Edwin had found her on 
his return ; for he had gone with the men on the 
search. He had caught a glimpse of her through a 
leafy screen, and could not withstand the temptation 
to go to her side ; and asked her to go with him in a 
boat to the little Fairy Isle. In his happiness at once 
more being in her sweet presence he observed not 
Lady Hawren anxiously looking after them. 

For the time all else was forgotten — his pride of 
lineage, her obscure birth ; what was al else compared 
to the love of this pure and lovely maid? The efful- 
gence of the fast sinking sun was wreathing the little 
fairy isle in flames of glory. The lily-fringed isle was 
a scene of beauty, and the odor from the flowers was 
oppressively sweet. He found her a seat overhung 
with climbing vines, for here the wildest luxuriance 
prevailed. 

'This is a lovely place,” she said. 

“It is heavenly! I think, sweet Flora, your pres- 
ence would make the worst wilderness a heaven.” 

“Captain, what bird is it that sings so sweetly over 
our heads?” 

“A goldfinch ; which sings so melodiously that it is 
called the Celestial bird.” 

“How I do love its melody!” she said, looking up 
at the bird, while he gazed rapturously on her face. 

“Flora, Flora ! How I do love the melody of your 
sweet voice ! And oh, Flora, how I do love you ! 
How often have I told you this?” 

“Repeatedly, Edwin. Yet ” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


423 


“Then, tell me, Flora, dear Flora — I have never 
asked you this — do you love me, Flora? Oh, speak, 
and dispel all anxiety from my heart ; for, knowing 
that I love you so tenderly, you need not fear to tell 
me truly.” 

She listened, trembling with happiness, then an- 
swered : 

“Oh, I do, Edwin ; and have loved you since the 
hour we walked together over the flagstones in the 
old ruins !” 

Seizing her hand, he pressed it to his lips — wildly, 
passionately — then drew back. Something had chilled 
his blood. But, repressing this feeling, he continued 
to pour forth words of burning love, and said : 

“Then, my darling, you will — you will be ” He 

paused, struggled, but could go no further. He would 
have said, you will be my bride. 

“Edwin, are you quite sure that you do love me 
as you say? You had not come near, nor spoken to 
me to-day, until just now ; and it was the same yester- 
day. You hung aloof all day after early morning 
until the last hour of the fete.” 

“Love you, darling? One sweet look from your 
bright eyes is to my fond heart worth all the rest of 
womankind. You are the idol that I worship day 
and night. Doubt all else in this world, Flora, but 
never doubt I love you !” 

“Oh, Edwin; within my heart there is a world of 
love, and like a love bird ‘would I linger near you 
ever’ !” 

Returning to the grotto, Lady Hawren met Lady 
de Bruce and Mrs. O’Neal going out to speak to the 
men in regard to their search. Being thus left alone, 
she threw herself on the rustic seat and, sinking 
back amid the cushions, clasped her hands and cried: 

“Oh, the infatuated boy ! What am I to do to save 
him ? He must not — he cannot marry her — poor, dear, 


424 


S EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


sweet Flora! I do not wonder that he loves her, she 
is a lovely creature; but never, never, never, shall 
he marry the daughter of a menial, the daughter of a 
pirate, the daughter of a murderess! I shall be forced 
to break my promise, and tell him all that Mrs. Mac- 
leod is — a murderess — before I will submit to it. Yes, 
I will tell it rather than ” 

Hearing a step on the gravel outside, she » sprang 
to a sitting posture, and the tall form of Lord Phan- 
tomfell appeared before her. 

“Ah, my Lady, have I twuly found you here, and 
alone? This is a gweat pleasuah, I assuah you; a 
gweat pleasuah !” 

“Be seated, my Lord,” she said, as pleasantly as 
possible under the trying circumstances, her face 
suffused. 

“Aw, Lady Hawren, I supposed you had gone out 
in the boat ; at least I feared you had.” 

“Oh no, my Lord. I believe you were of the party 
that went out in search of the armed man who was 
seen ” 

“Yes, yes, my Lady; but we saw no man, and think 
Lady de Bwuce was mistaken — misled — my Lady. 
Indeed, she must have been labohing under a stwange, 
a vewy stwange, hallucination to even foh one mo- 
ment think there was an armed man pwowling about 
these pwemises. There are too many of us men — 
old army officews, weahing swodes and pistols — foh 
any one man to ventuh among us; too many bwave 
men, my Lady.” 

There was an awkward pause, then he began : 

“Youah Ladyship ” 

“Sir?” 

“Youah Ladyship is looking wemawkably ” “Oh, 

if fate would champion my cause and give me utter- 
ance!” he thought, twirling his lovelock. Then aloud 
he said: “I must say, Lady Hawren, youar face is 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


425 

all flushed and glowious to behold ; a heaven of beauty 
is beaming fwom youah lovely eyes.” 

“My Lord, I daresay my face is a little flushed. 
I have been excited. Pray, have you any hope of 
finding the man?” 

“Who, my Lady? Aw, the immaginawy pusson 
with swode and pistols ? Ah, dear Lady ; be not ex- 
cited on account of that immaginawy being; be not 
afwaid. No man shall appwoach to do you harm 
while a bold knight sits thus by youah side to defend 
you.” 

“Oh, my Lord, I have no fear of the man ” 

“No, Lady; no! I beseech you, have no feah. 
But what can have called to youah cheek this woseate 

hue? Am I mistaken when May I dare to hope 

that this flush on youah lovely cheek, and this bwight- 
ness of youah beautiful eye were elicited at the ap- 
pwoach of my unwo’thy self? May I not hope that 
I have gained a gentle sway ovah a willing subject? 
Dear Lady, you are enthwoned as mistwess within this 
heart — as its gentle mistwess. And could you, deah 
Lady, find it congenial with youah feelings to accept 
this hand of mine which I now offeah you, with my 
heawt and all I possess, and give me youah love, this 
would be to me the sum of earthly bliss. But, if all 
hope is lost of my weseption into youah gwace, then 
am I of all men most misewable, indeed !” 

“Oh, my Lord Phantomfell ; you do me too much 
honor! Do not ask it of me, dear sir. I — I have no 
heart to give you. You would not wed a lady who 
does not love you!” 

“Deah Lady, do not say so gwievous a thing, light 
of my life. I love you ! Do not blight my being by 
wefusing to become my bwide !” 

“Oh, do not ask it of me, my Lord. I cannot accept 
your offer, which I realize to be the highest tribute 
a man can offer a woman— the greatest boon a noble 


426 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


man can give the woman of his choice. I trust, my 
Lord, you will not charge me with having led you 
to expect — to hope that which you can never realize.” 

“No, deah Lady ; you have not. On the contwawy, 
you have shunned, noticeably shunned, always, my ap- 
pwoach. And but foah the gweat pleasueh of find- 
ing you heah alone in this chawming little wetweat, 
and looking so ovahpowehingly beautiful, I should 
have nevah had the temerity to addwess you on this 
subject.” 

“My Lord, among the noble ladies present surely it 
will not be difficult to find one who will respond to 
your heart’s love. You will forgive me, my Lord, 
and entertain for me no unkind feelings, I trust. 
Let us continue to be good friends, and at any time 
if I can aid you in any way, please to notify me, and 
I will gladly do for you all in my power. And now, 
my Lord, I hear the girls coming; let us part as 
friends,” and she held out her hand. He gallantly 
dropped on one knee and, seizing her hand, pressed it 
to his lips and, rising, retired just in time to avoid 
meeting with the nymphs, who were now returning 
from their boat ride. 

It was growing dusk, and all returned to the old 
castle, where, later they would assemble in the draw- 
ing-room and spend the evening in conversation and 
music. At supper time Edwin again eluded his aunt’s 
vigilance, and accompanied Flora to the dining hall. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 427 


CHAPTER XL. 

A MERRY EVENING. 

“Avaunt! to-night my heart is light, no dirge will I up- 
raise, 

But waft the angel on her flight, with a pean of old days!" 

“I have been happy, though (but) in a dream." 

This was the second evening spent inside since 
coming to the castle. The drawing-room was a blaze 
of light, and the fleeting moments were chased away 
with light music, many jests and much ringing laugh- 
ter. 

“Let us have a song,” said Louis. “Lady Kathryn 
will sing for us!” And he approached with her 
syrinda, or Indian* guitar. 

Kathryn, who sat with Doctor Godkins in a moon- 
lit window, returned, with assumed gaiety : 

“No ; the Doctor will sing for you, doubtless.” 

“No * I never sing,” affirmed the Doctor. 

“Yet there’s melody in your heart and on your 
lips,” she said, coquettishly, with her sweetest smile. 

“Your Ladyship will sing for us ; just one stanza,” 
he pleaded, taking the syrinda from the hands of 
Louis and placing it in her own. 

A moment she hesitates, then her snowy hand is 
upon the strings; she handles the guitar with much 
grace and beauty; and there is a deep pathos in her 
voice as she sings: 

“Still, like dew in silence falling, 

Drops for thee the nightly tear, 

Still that voice the past recalling, 

Dwells like echo, on my ear, 

Still, still! 


428 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Day and night the spell hangs o’er me, 

Here forever fixed thou art; 

As thy form first shone before me, 

So ’tis graven on this heart, 

Deep, deep!” 

Her voice quivered over the last words, and, tossing 
the light instrument away, she cried : 

‘‘Enough, enough! Louis, take it to Flora, who 
can sin g.” 

“ but she is odd,” Rosa, on the opposite side of 

the room, was saying to the Major. 

“Oh, but she absorbs me wholly; even her oddities 
cause me to love her more. Ah, my jewel!” — to Nora, 
who at this time was passing with Julien. 

“Oh, you grim old goblin!” she returned, passing 
on. 

“Well, noo; of all the graceful beings! Ha! ha! 
ha!” merrily laughed the Major. 

Now Rosa was performing gracefully on her flute 
for Louis, playing: “The Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee,” 
and was asked to sing it, but refused, saying : 

“Ask Flora to sing it ; she sings better than I.” 

“I cannot sing it alone,” returned Flora; “I have 
never sung it without Gaston’s assistance ; he always 
sang it with me.” 

“ Yes, my Lord; I have studied law, but find 

I have very little liking for it, and feel that I am 
too wholly a soldier to be loyal to so exacting a busi- 
ness,” returned Edwin, to Lord de Bruce, with whom 
he was conversing, not far away. 

“Flora, Edwin sings it well; he will help you,” 
called Kathryn, across the room. “Edwin, come and 
sing with Flora your old familiar song you sang so 
much at home!” 

Edwin rose cheerfully, and went to Flora’s side. 

All remained hushed and still while the harmony 
of their mellow voices permeated the room. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


429 


“How wondrously their voices do harmonize !” ex- 
claimed Annie to Guy, who hung over her with looks 
of cordial love. “And what perfect harmony exists be- 
tween their lips and the deep magic in the chords 
of the lute/’ 

“ the dark-eyed maid,” Rorey was saying, in 

the conclusion of a sentence to Louis, a little to one 
side. 

“ ‘No painter, with all his palette’s dyes, can ap- 
proach the splendor of her eyes P in which one might 
gaze for years and yet would never tire.” 

“Is that a quotation, Master Kearney?” asked 
Rorey. 

“I cannot say exactly; it comes from the depths of 
my heart, I know. List! The Captain sings with 
Flora. ‘Did ever raven sing so like a lark !’ ” 

“Her voice has a liquid sweetness.” 

“Aye, she can touch every mood, from gayest mer- 
riment to deepest sadness.” 

As the song closed, Kathryn was saying : 

“Yes, he is glowing! And he said, ‘This is a pic- 
ture of unrivaled beauty. Behold here the groves ‘as 
Elysian as the groves of Bubastis !’ ‘Methinks such 
heavenly place as this was made for love and lovers' 
tryst P ‘Oh, my Lord,’ I said, ‘Methinks you are po- 
etic. Are you not a poet? Confess, now, that you 
are. 

“Yes, George, Lord Hawdon is ” The Doc- 

tor’s rejoinder was lost in a burst of merry laughter 
from a group which had gathered around Nora and 
Major O’Connor, who sat on a sofa together, while 
Rosa, Rorey and Julien did the laughing. 

“I admit, Major, I once had a lover — a devoted 
lover, I might say, for he was very fond of me,” 
Nora was saying, “and loved me above all things. 
He had a pet kitten, and brought it over and pre- 


430 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


sented it to me. Oh, he had the. loveliest little eyes 
and the sweetest soft gray hair ” 

“Sure,” broke in the Major, “he was a fine-looking 
old chap, noo, like myself, with gray hair and those 
little squint eyes — oh, wasn’t he a pretty boy of a 
lover, eh, Miss Nora?” 

“Ha, ha, ha! He, he, he! Ho, ho, ho!” laughed 
Rosa, Julien and Rorey. 

“Oh, the kitty, I mean, Major; you misunderstand. 
He was devoted to me and loved me above all ” 

“Sure, then, Jewel, it must be consoling to have the 
unbounded love of an old gray cat ” 

“ ’Twas not the cat at all ; it was the nice young 
man who fairly worshipped me, and he was a perfect 
love of a boy, too.” 

“Oh, did he worship you, then ? Sure, I don’t blame 
him one bit. I’d ha’ done the same had I been in his 
place.” 

“And I remember one day,” continued Nora, “it 
was rainy, and the dog got after him — he was the 
greatest villain that ever lived ” 

“There, noo, Jewel ; you said but now he was a 
perfect love ; again he is such a villain the dog chased 
him all over the place ” 

“Oh, ha, ha, ha ! He, he, he ! Ho, ho, ho !” chorused 
the group. 

“No, no! The dog, I mean; he chased my kittie. 
And, don’t you know, it made the young man angry, 
and he got a whip and chased him off — the dog. Now 
do you understand?” 

“Oh, yes, yes! You can elucidate; that’s clear 
enough.” 

“Then the dear little fellow sat upon the seat be- 
side me and gently laid his head on my arm, and 
purred so lovingly ” 

“Sure, and I’d be blessed if that was not a most 
happy termination to the affair ” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


431 

“ — - — and I stroked his little soft head, you ” 

' Ha, ha, ha ! He, he, he ! Ho, ho, ho ! Oh, hoo, 
hoo, hoo !” Louis had joined the group. 

“Soft head! The young man, eh, Nora?” 

“A soft head, and how you stroked it ! ho, ho !” 
ho !” said Rorey. 

Nora hid her crimson face in her hands. Then, 
raising her head, exclaimed : 

“Rorey!” And, turning 011 the Major, said: “Major 
O’Connor, you are the most incorrigible old Irishman 
I ever saw ; and I do not intend to tell you one word 
more about my lover!” 

“Oh, Jewel, pardon me, and do finish the narration 
of your first love story.” 

“Then, I trust, you will not persist in misunder- 
standing me again, Major. The little thing appeared 
hungry — the cat — so I sent the young man, you know, 
to fetch him — the cat — a little milk in a cup. He laid 
the whip on the seat beside me, and a good thing it 
was, too ; for here he came back and began to snarl 
and growl at my cat, showing his ugly teeth in a most 
ferocious manner. Then, sure, I snatched up the 
whip and laid it on his back most heavily. He ran, 
and I ran after him, and striped him good. He never 
stopped at all till he reached the dog kennel, and ran 
in. Then I closed the door on him. Now I had the 
advantage of him; don’t you think so?” she asked, 
looking into his eyes that were brimming with mis- 
chief. 

“I do think so, Miss Nora ; and how I do pity the 
poor boy! Sure, the vicissitudes in his life were 
many and great — from being a loved and loving young 
man, the hand of his mistress is turned against him ; 
the same hand, too, that so recently had stroked his 
little soft head ; the lash is laid on his back in no 
gentle manner, and he is forced to take refuge in the 
dog kennel.” 


'432 ''EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Rosa. “He, he, he!” chuck- 
led Julien. “Ho, ho, ho! Hoo, hoo, hoo!” roared 
Rorey and Louis. 

“And that is the very reason, ma cushla,” continued 
the Major, “that I keep clear o’ the lessies. They smile 
one minute, and the next they may be laying on with 
a whip ; and that’s the kind o’ craytures they are, sure. 
Rorey, my boy, don’t you believe it?” 

“No, sir; I think them the very kindest of crea- 
tures, Major.” 

“Sure; now, Major, I’m not going to tell you an- 
other blink of my story, for here you are making fun 
of me and my lover, and he’s the only one I ever had, 
too.” 

“And he was a foin fellow, with little eyes. Sure, 
you’ll be having others enough to make up for him 
of the little eyes, one of whom I most willingly sub- 
scribe myself.” And he made her a profound bow. 

“You get out! You invariably get things mixed, 
and persist in mistaking the cat for the boy, the boy 
for the dog, and the dog for — for — both. You can 
just leave me and go across the room and sit with 
Aunt Mary; then I guess you will have to be on 
your P’s and Q’s.” 

“Sure, Miss Nora O’Neal, I’ll be after doing that 
very thing; for she’s the best-looking woman in the 
house, anyway; and you don’t know your cat from 
your dog, nor your boy from your cat, at all, at all.” 

“I’m not Nora O’Neal yet, I thank you,” she said, 
flashing a look on Rorey that sent the blood to his 
cheeks. “But he was the sweetest dear, and I did 
love him so ” 

“Oh, how I do wish I had been he !” . sighed the 
Major. 

“What, Major, you wish to be a cat?” 

“Not for worlds ! But the young man whom you 
loved so fondly.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


433 


“Why, no ; it was the cat I loved. He was so gentle 
— true, the young man was very fond of me — I tied 
a soft ribbon around his neck — he looked so pretty — 
and led him along.’’ 

“Ha, ha, ha!” Ho, ho, ho! He, he, he! Hoo, hoo, 
hoo! Hu, hu, hu!” Major O’Connor joined in the 
laugh. Louis offered Rosa his arm for a promenade 
in the great-hall. 

All this time the Earl had been walking slowly up 
and down the great-hall, whence he could see and hear 
all that was going on — the heavy drapery between 
the drawing-room and hall having been rolled aside, 
throwing both into one — and had heard every word of 
Kathryn’s little snatch of song, her remarks to the 
Doctor about his nephew, Lord Hawdon. Passing 
near to where Mrs. O’Neal sat, she said to him, inter- 
rupting his meditations: 

“My Lord, I fear the children are growing inde- 
corously boisterous.” He paused and «ontemplated 
the merry group. “Charlie is entertaining them with 
some of his stories,” she continued. “I must go over 
and curb them down a little.” 

“No, no, dear aunt,” he said ; “let them alone. Oh, 
let them enjoy themselves while they may! We are 
here for a little unalloyed pleasure ; let them throw off 
all social restraint and be merry, for the dark and 
gloomy pall of sadness will fall over them soon 
enough.” He sighed deeply. 

At his request she rose, and, laying her hand on 
his arm, they walked up and down together. 

“We both know from experience, dear aunt, that 
life cannot be always rosy. Allow the dear ones to 
be merry while they may.” 

“Ha, ha, ha ! Ho, ho, ho ! He, he, he ! Hoo, hoo, 
hoo! Hu, hu, hu!” 

“Only listen to that, my Lord! What a wild out- 


434 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


burst for a drawing-room! The Major is in his ele- 
ment now; he’s teasing Nora.” 

“She is equal to the emergency, aunt, I assure you, 
with her quick wit and sang-froid. No, they cannot 
always be happy. Leave them, as long as they are 
not disturbing the others.” And his quick eye sought 
out the relation of the other parties, respectively, and 
he noted that Kathryn was flirting desperately with 
the Doctor. 

“My Lord, from some cause you are sad. You 
should not look on the dark side of the picture. 
There is a bright future for you. If only you will 
keep up courage, you are sure to win.” 

“How is it with you, dear aunt?” 

“My life is all tranquillity, my Lord.” 

“I am glad to be assured of this, darling aunt.” 
He sighed again, and glanced in the direction of 
Kathryn and the Doctor. 

At the farther end of the great-hall they hear the 
tinkling of a lute. In a moonlit window, where Flora 
and Edwin are sitting, she fingers the lute softly, while 
he is saying: 

“Oh, what rapture to be near that loved one, in 
the lovely moonlight, while sweet music falls so gently 
on the ear!” 

Lady Hawren saw the happy couple in the window, 
and, what with Edwin’s rashness and Lord Phantom- 
fell’s proposal in the evening, she was much disturbed 
and excited. 

“ and he has a nice cousin, Doctor — Mr. de 

Vere.” 

“Oh, Virgil, my Lady? Yes; he is one of the finest 
of men.” 

Kathryn was still speaking of Lord Hawdon, at 
the same time asking about de Vere and carrying on 
a flirtation with the Doctor. She was divinely beauti- 
ful, so thought the Earl, as he gazed on her animated 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


435 


face for a moment. She and the Doctor, simulta- 
neously raising their eyes, met his sadly earnest 
gaze. Abruptly he turned, and, placing his aunt in 
her seat, continued his measured tread. 

“Had you ever a sure-enough sweetheart, Major 
O’Connor ?” 

“No ; not sure-enough, Miss Nora. But I once vis- 
ited a pretty girl just to tease another boy ; that was 
when I was young.” 

“Are you not young enough now?” 

“Young enough to visit a pretty girl? Oh, we 
shall see about that ! But shall I tell you about devil- 
ing this other boy?” 

“Oh, yes, yes !” they all cry. Louis and Rosa had 
promenaded back, and stood waiting to hear the 
Major’s story. 

“His name was Mickey Finn. The girl was Judy 
M’Corkle. Mickey and I were rivals; that made it 
interesting. Well, I set out one day to visit this 
divinity, who lived about three miles from the village 
where I was stationed. I did like to annoy poor 
Mickey! I rode slowly along, thinking how pretty 
Judy was, sure enough, and how it teased Mickey 
for me to visit her. The road ran parallel with the 
cottage where Judy lived, and I was now in sight of 
the cottage ; and, looking away up the road beyond, 
I saw Mickey, also riding slowly along on his old 
blaze-faced horse; also thinking of Judy, no doubt. 
I drew up my bridle, saying to my Bonny War Eagle : 
‘Ho! Now here’s a go! I will never be outdistanced 
by that chappie, though not so much interested as he, 
perhaps.’ My rival must have recognized me at the 
same moment, my own horse — a gray — being no less 
conspicuous than Old Blaze. My old gray pricked up 
his ears and started off at a fine pace. Old Blaze set 
up a jog trot. I spurred Bonny War Eagle up a little. 
Mickey, too, accelerated his speed. Now we were get- 


436 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


ting quite near the cottage, and I would not have 
Mickey beat me; not for the world. I put spurs to 
Bonny War Eagle, and he set out as if in a desperate 
charge accompanied by martial music. On I went; 
on came my rival. I perceived I had the advantage 
by having a good, smooth road ; while a long puddle of 
water and mud, from a recent rain, intercepted his 
course. On, on I went; on, on he came. Through 
the mud he splashed, getting his best doublet all be- 
spattered, using his best effort. I began to fear that, 
in spite of all War Eagle could do, my rival would 
win; but, putting him on the double-quick, I dashed 
up to the gate about three hundred feet ahead of 
Mickey. I stopped so suddenly, and threw War 
Eagle back on his haunches with so much vim, his 
hoofs scooting in the ground literally besprinkled the 
cottage with gravel. Hastily dismounting, I rushed, 
panting, up the walk; and, by the way, saw the little 
coquette at the window, laughing. Breathlessly pound- 
ing on the door, I was soon admitted and hastened in, 
lest Mickey should enter before I could propound my 
weighty question. I had every reason to believe she 
preferred me to Mickey. She said: 

“ ‘Oh, Mr. O’Connor ; you appear to be in haste 
this morning.’ 

“ ‘Well, now, Mistress Judy, indeed I am. I have a 
weighty matter for you to decide, and you alone can 
decide it.’ 

“ ‘Oh, Mr. O’Connor, do not ask me to make a 
decision for you ; I cannot.’ 

“ ‘But, my dear Judy, you can do it dacently, and 
you must, to relieve my heart and mind of a great 
burden.’ I glanced outside, and there was Mickey 
walking up and down in the road. 

“ ‘There’s a wager between myself and Mickey, and 
you must decide it. He is now walking impatiently 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


43 7 

outside the gate; and, dear Judy, I would have your 
answer before he comes in.’ 

“ ‘Oh, Mr. O’Connor/ she said, blushing beauti- 
fully; ‘you cannot wish me to decide this — this * 

“‘Oh, you must; you will, Judy! Answer it for 
me. Yet — oh — u — u — uh!’ I sighed fearfully. 

“ ‘What V 

“ ‘It may be just as well not. Tis a question I have 
pondered for months. I cannot sleep o’ nights — oh — 

u — u — u’ Another heart-rending sigh, ‘but I will 

not ’ 

“‘Oh, why?' 

“ ‘You might decide against me. Oh — u — u — h ’ 

“ ‘No, no ! Indeed I — perhaps not/ 

“ ‘Then, promise me that you will not, Judy. Yes, 
dear, promise that you will decide in my favor !’ 

“ ‘How can I before I know V 
“‘Yes, yes, Judy; quickly! I see Mickey coming 
in at the gate!’ 

“ ‘Tell me! Oh, please tell me!’ 

“ ‘No, no ; you will not promise/ 

“‘Oh, please !’ 

“ ‘No, I’ll be going! Yet ’ 

“ ‘Oh, do not !’ 

“ ‘Yes, yes ; 'tis no use * 

“‘Oh, yes; yes, stay! I do promise/ 

“‘Do you so, Judy?’ said I, dropping on one knee 
and seizing her hands in mine. ‘Then, Judy, you will 

answer me true, and tell me which— which ’ 

“‘Oh, what?’ she asked breathlessly; ‘how can you 
ask? Surely you already know that I f 

“ ‘But Judy, you must tell me which — which 

‘“What! Oh, what?’ asked Judy. _ 

“‘You will decide in my favor, dear Judy? How 
her hands trembled in mine ! j 

“ ‘Yes, yes ! You must know that 

“ ‘You will answer in the affirmative, Judy?' 


43 $ 


EARL OR FLEETWOOD 


“ ‘Oh, yes, yes ! How can you ask?’ 

“ Then, Judy, decide this question for us : Which 
is heavier, a pound of salt or a pound of feathers? 
And, quickly rising to my feet, I said : 

“‘Oh, here is Mickey! You may tell him, for I 
must be going; but, Judy, be sure you answer in my 
favor!’ At the door I met Mickey, and, turning, I 
saw her face was white as a sheet. Making her a 
low bow, I passed out as Mickey passed in.” 

“Ho, ho, ho! He, he, he!” laughed Rorey and 
Julien. 

“Oh, Major! Oh— o— o-— oh! Maybe she loved 
you. How could you be so cruel?” cried Nora, dis- 
concerted ; she had formed such a high opinion of his 
nobility of character, his gentle manhood. Rosa 
looked demure. 

“Miss Rosa, had you been in her place what would 
you have done?” asked Louis. 

“Had I been in her place, I would have said salt, 
of course !” 

“Bravo, Miss Rosa! Ho, ho, ho!” said Rorey. 
When the laugh subsided, Major O’Connor said: 

“You think me cruel, Nora. I must exculpate my- 
self from apparent heartlessness. I would not have 
you think me heartless. There was an event ante- 
cedent to this, of which I must tell you ; then you will 
not think me the only heartless one. I was young 
then, and maybe should not have done it, but was 
angry, and wanted revenge. I have told you she was 
a coquette; she gloried in being one. I had a friend 
whom I loved very much — Dick Murphy. He was 
madly in love with the little coquette, and everyone 
told him that she was only leading him on until he 
would propose; then would cruelly throw him over. 
But, no ! Dick had the utmost confidence in her, and 
went on and on. Finally he offered her his heart and 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


439 


hand, then she said : ‘No, Mr. Murphy ; I have no 
notion of marrying you!’ 

‘‘‘What!’ cried poor Dick, thunderstruck. 

“ ‘Why, no, Mr. Murphy ; you would not expect 
me to marry just any one who comes along.’ 

“Poor Dick was staggered. He had given her all 
the love of his noble, young heart. Perceiving what 
his friends had told him was all true, he turned white, 
and, like a man drunk, reeling and staggering, he 
wended his way back to camp — came in and dropped 
down like a dead man. For two weeks, day and 
night, he raved in delirium. I sat by his side and 
nursed him through it all, and when I heard his wild 
ravings I vowed a vow that I would have revenge 
and, if possible, cause her to suffer in the same ratio. 
I assure you, Miss Nora, I would not now be guilty 
of such wickedness ; but, as I have said, I was young 
then.” 


CHAPTER XLI. 

ON THE WITCHES’ STAIRWAY. 

"‘Tis time this heart should be unmoved 
Since others it has ceased to move; 

Yet, though I cannot be beloved. 

Still let me love.” 

Next morning, when breakfast was announced and 
all were ready to proceed to the dining-room, Kathryn 
glided, like a beam of light, into the drawing-room, 
her face aglow with excitement, and with a slight 
inclination of her head acknowledged the morning 
greetings. The Earl bowed low, without recognition 
from her, approached, and, taking her hand, drew it 
within his arm and led the way. He had not ad- 


440 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


dressed a word to her since the morning before, in 
the grotto ; nor did he now speak, but only led her to 
the table. Rorey and Julien stood together at the 
head, ready to place them, conversing with Hortense, 
who stood near the Earl’s chair. 

“My Lord,” said Hortense, “with Lady Hawren’s 
compliments, she bade me say she will not be out to 
breakfast.” 

Placing Kathryn in her seat, he turned to Mrs. 
O’Neal, who was just entering with Lord de Bruce, 
saying : 

“Dear aunt, will you kindly preside at the tea-tray?” 

The Chaplain craved a blessing ; Mrs. O’Neal did the 
honors of the table with charming grace. Kathryn 
posed in rigid dignity by the Earl’s side. Now he 
turned to her and said : 

“I trust Lady Hawren is not ill, my Lady.” 

“She bade me say to your Lordship she is a little 
indisposed, and will not leave her room this morning,” 
she returned, with a rigid bow, looking him straight 
in the eyes. 

“Thank you. I am sorry — I thought last evening 
she seemed a little flurried or excited. I regret to 
learn that she is indisposed,” he said, and he looked 
intently into her eyes until they were averted. 

“We have a long day before us, my Lord. What 
sports shall we pursue ?” asked Doctor Godkins. 

“Captain Arranton and I will ask to be excused 
from the sports to-day — part of the day, at least — 
being called to Carlisle on a little business. But I 
trust, my friends, that you will not let the sweet hours 
pass unwinged by pleasure,” returned the Earl. 

“A chase ! A chase !” exclaimed Guy. 

“Yes, let us mount and away to the forest,” said 
the Major. 

“Then back and have a boat ride with the ladies at 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 441 

sunset/* cried Louis, remembering with pleasure the 
boat ride he had enjoyed with Rosa. 

"You like hunting, Doctor ?** asked the Major. 

"Most dearly, sir ; hunting is exhilarating and con- 
ducive to health, from the exposure to fresh air. Yes, 
hunting involves exercise in many forms ; and in re- 
mote ages was held as a pastime of much importance/* 

"Aye, true. Doctor; true!” said the Major. "But 
before it was a pleasure it was a necessity, and people 
were urged to it, not alone by hunger, but by the neces- 
sity of self-protection from wild beasts/* 

"Hunting has been, and still is, beneficial to man, 
though it induces cruelty to animals/* observed the 
Earl. 

"The ancient Britons were famous hunters/* said 
the Doctor, "and their deerhounds were the very 
finest ; they exported deerhounds to the Continent, 
especially to Gaul.** 

"The Saxons were far more addicted to hunting 
than were the Romans. Fondness for the chase with 
them seems to have been innate,” said the Earl. "I 
believe I have inherited my share of it.” 

"I have read with much pleasure Aristotle on field 
sports, and a treatise on dogs and hunting by Xeno- 
phon, called the ‘Cynegeticus/ ” observed the Doctor. 

"We have also interesting treatises from the Roman 
writers : Horace, Cicero, Virgil and others,” said Lord 
de Bruce. 

"Yes/* the Doctor said to Lady de Bruce, beside 
him ; "it is a great thing to go on the chase with a 
fine pack of Arundel hounds, my Lady.” 

"There has been great improvement in fox-hunting, 
even in the last fifty years, I believe,*’ she returned. 

"Yes, my Lady; the fox was then considered an 
animal of the higher chase ; but at present all that is 
cared for in the fox is his brush.” 

"Aye, Doctor ; in those days which we read of they 


442 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


took it on foot, with their trencher dogs, consisting 
of everything in dog shape,” rejoined the Major; “and 
if we may believe what old writers have said on the 
subject, there were, in those days, some spirited foot 
fox-chasing. For instance, the scene depicted by that 
worthy minstrel-monk called ‘First in order of 
Anglican poets’ : 

“‘Aha! the fox, and after him they ran, 

And she with staves, and many an other man, 

Ran Coll our dog, and Talbot and Gerlond, 

And malkin with her distaff in her hond, 

Ran cow and calf, and eke the veray hogges, 

So fered were for barking of the dogges, 

And shouting of the men, and women eke, 

They ronnen so, hem thought her hertes brake.*” 

“Bravo, Major!” cried Louis. “What a fox-hunt 
was that! Let us this day, under the guidance of 
Apollo and Diana, set forth, with Pollox, Orion and 
Hypolitus in our train, in pursuit of the deer, the fox 
and the hare.” 

“And have you hunted much, Major?” asked the 
Doctor. 

“In times of peace, Doctor, a huntsman am I; out 
with hawk and hound. But when ‘war supplies a 
nobler game,’ a soldier am I. Truly glad am I, Doc- 
tor, to find there exists between us a congenial passion 
for field sports.” And with mutual felicitations, in 
anticipation of a fine day for sport, they rose from the 
table. 

On emerging from the doorway of the dining-room, 
the Earl with Kathryn preceding the others, turned 
abruptly to the left and entered the corridor leading 
to the old hall in the ruins, where Edwin and Flora 
had first met. Though the morning was glorious, no 
rays from the sun could reach this shady portion of 
the building at this early hour. Dewdrops trembled 
on the trailing vines laden with scarlet trumpet-flow- 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


M3 


ers. A soft, mist-like fog hung over the sea. The 
little brig which they had been accustomed to see lying 
at a distance on the smooth sea was not visible. Up 
and down the flagged floor they paced with even tread, 
without a word having been spoken by either. Kath- 
ryn was nervous. Her agitation was such that she 
found it difficult to stand, and almost felt that she 
must sink upon the floor. Oh, what was he going to 
say? She felt that this would be a crisis. There was 
determination in his face; a look of resolution which 
she had never before observed there. She knew she 
loved him better than her own life, and knew that he 
loved her as well. Their souls were knit together in 
perfect unison. But there was that fatal promise; 
then, she felt such pain in her heart since the fete 
from jealousy. She had been angry and had recalled 
to her mind everything she had heard against him, 
and tried to force herself to believe it all. She could 
not. She knew in her heart he could not be guilty 
of such baseness. But there was her promise, made 
in perfect faith, in her sweet innocence and ignorance. 
Must she break a promise to one now dead? Never! 
Never! Even though she believed him innocent, he 
had never been exonerated. She could never be happy 
under the circumstances ; instead, would be perfectly 
miserable. The thought would pursue her forever, 
robbing her of every joy. Now turning an angle, they 
were completely screened from view, if anyone should 
follow down the long corridor. Walking on, they 
soon reached the witches’ stairway, as they had called 
it. Kathryn was thinking: “Break my promise? 
Never! Never!” And in bitter anguish felt like 
shrieking aloud. She felt that she could go no far- 
ther, and, trembling with excitement, she cried : 

“My Lord, you are killing me !” 

“Oh, my Lady, you are killing me! This day, aye, 
this hour, a decision must be made! My heart is 


444 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


breaking! You have held me as a bauble quite long 
enough. From year to year have I been forced to 
this bitter fare. I must know my fate here and now 1 
I begin to believe that you are trifling with my feel- 
ings ; that as a coquette you are enjoying your do- 
minion over my heart’s best love, which has been lav- 
ished on you since the first moment our eyes ever met. 
If your own heart is not enlisted, permit me to know 
it, and I can then go and make other arrangements 
for my future.” 

“Oh, my Lord; you cannot accuse me You — 

you do not think ” Her face was white as mar- 

ble ; she trembled as she spoke. “You know that I 
do ” She struggled, but could speak no further. 

“Do what? Love me, darling one?” What rap- 
ture! What sudden joy is flowing in his soul, his 
every nerve and vein glowing with ardor. His heart 
by one sole impulse is possessed, he clasps and holds 
her to his breast. He feared she would swoon, but she 
drew away haughtily. 

“No, no ! It can never be ! I can never be yours !” 
she wailed, and sank, almost overcome, on the steps 
of the witches’ stairway, among the trailing vines, 
almost hidden from his sight. He stood before her, 
his mouth firmly set, and gazed upon her. Then, clasp- 
ing his hands behind him, he paced to and fro ; paus- 
ing again, he said : 

“Kathryn, I have unintentionally elicited a tender 
feeling from a most noble heart, which I will not 
ignore, unless you will give me reason to hope that 
at some time my heart’s dearest wish may be realized. 
It will be better that one heart should be made happy 
than that two, perhaps three, should be miserable. If 
your love for me is as sincere as mine is for you, 
there is no reason — there can be none — why we should 
not be happy. But if your happiness does not depend 
on me, I alone would be made to suffer. Thus, if you 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


445 


cannot make me happy, I have it in my power to make 
another happy, and myself not the less so. My mind 
is made up, and this day I will act on your decision. 
I go to-day to Carlisle for a short time. In returning, 
will call at Hawdon Manor and see Lady Hermione 
a little ; and my fate will be decided.” 

He made several rapid strides back and forth, then 
stopped in front of her, his hands behind his back, and 
gazed on her pallid face. 

Statuesque, she sat amid the vines, nor moved nor 
spoke, her gaze fixed upon the vaulted sky beyond the 
crumbling walls. 

“You once told me that you loved me; you have 
never disavowed it.” He stood anxiously awaiting a 
response. “If you would retract, I would feel — feel 
more free — to — to act.” 

Sad-eyed, she sat amid the glory of the scarlet 
blooms, with their sumptuous tints and soft verdure, 
apparently a being petrified to marble. 

If she spoke, she knew her voice would quiver; that 
she would give way to a flood of tears ; perhaps swoon. 
Her heart was breaking. She said to herself : “I 
never will retract!” and tried earnestly to articulate 
the words, but her voice failed to respond to her will, 
her emotion very near overcoming her; but with a 
supreme effort, inwardly struggling, she repressed her 
tears and sat like a stone, knowing if she uttered one 
word or yielded in the least to her feelings she would 
break down utterly. He, thinking it stolid indiffer- 
ence, walked the floor ; and, wringing his hands, cried : 

“Farewell, farewell, sweet dream of love! I must 
meet life bravely!” Then, turning to her, he bowed 
low and, with punctilious courtesy, said : “Shall I lead 
your Ladyship to the drawing-room?” 

She rose and, with an effort, made a grand curtsey 
and accepted the defferential offer, her heart so filled 
with anguish that she neither saw nor heard anything. 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


446 

She laid her hand upon his arm; he led her forth 
from this sweet retreat which he had entered with 
great determination and at least a degree of hope. 
Now he was bereft of all. Though upheld by her 
pride, his arm affording her support, she found it 
difficult to walk up the long corridor. At length, 
reaching the drawing-room, he seated her on a sofa, 
and with a courtly bow withdrew. 




CHAPTER XLII. 


THE STORM. 

“The sky is changed! — and such a change! O night, 

And storm, and darkness, ye are wondrous strong; 

Yet lovely in your strength, as is the light 
Of a dark eye in woman! Far along, 

From peak to peak, the rattling crags among, 

Leaps the live thunder!” 

The Earl and Edwin started immediately for Car- 
lisle. The other men mounted for a bird hunt and 
set out. The ladies, being quite tired out with so 
much exercise, and feeling the need of rest, decided to 
remain indoors all day. Some of the younger girls 
planned for a moonlight picnic on the little Fairy Isle. 
After some hours in the chase the hunters returned, 
and when they had been served a fine luncheon be- 
took themselves also to rest; for they, as well as the 
ladies, needed repose. 

And now the evening hour is drawing nigh. Be- 
hold the glowing sun — mighty god of day — ’mid gaudy 
clouds of golden eve, is sinking toward the sea, and 
will soon bid farewell to lovely grove and glen. Yet 
a halo of glory still lingers in the treetops, which 
stretch their long shadows across the witching scene, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


44 7 

and rests with a ruddy glow upon the old castle 
walls. 

Below, on the water, are countless boats of many 
different patterns. 

The party of nymphs, on emerging from the great 
hall, observe the approach of the Earl and Edwin, 
with their attendants, and stop awhile to await their 
coming, for Rorey and Julien had accompanied the 
Earl ; and the girls — Kathryn, Flora, Rosa, Nora, 
Edith, Laura and Hilda — and the maids, with baskets, 
pitchers, cups and platters, were bound for the little 
isle ; and, wishing to have Rorey and Julien accom- 
pany them, stopped beneath the friendly old elms to 
await their approach. On dismounting, Edwin went 
immediately to Kathryn, who stood with an arm 
around Flora. 

“Oh,” said Rosa, “we are going to the little Fairy 
Isle, to have a moonlight picnic, and want Rorey and 
Julien to go with us.” 

“Yes,” said Flora, “we want them to row us over 
and take care of us.” 

“Oho,” said Edwin, turning to the Earl; “a select 
party, my Lord, and we are not invited!” 

The Earl, dismounting, threw his reins to Andy, 
who had come for the horses. 

“Oh, my Lord,” said Nora, “we are going to have 
a charming picnic — just a girl picnic — and will not 
have a single young man with us but Rorey and Julien 
to care for us.” 

“Oh,” began Rosa, “this is a select party. But, 
girls, I think we might let the Captain go with us.” 

“Ah,” said Edwin, “would you be willing that I 
should go — but there’s coming a storm!” 

The Earl lingered near Andy, giving some direc- 
tions ; feeling undecided as to how Kathryn would 
receive him, he hesitated to approach. He then mo- 
tioned to Flora, who came to him. 


448 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


T am sorry, Flora ; but I cannot let you go to the 
isle this evening ; there is coming a storm,” he said. 

“A storm, my Lord?” 

“Yes, Flora; I notice infallible signs of a storm. 
Tell Lady Kathryn she must not think of going. And 
turning to Rorey and Julien, who still sat their horses, 
he said: 

“Boys, ride down the beach and tell Macdonald to 
put carefully away every boat, for there will be a ter- 
rific storm this evening. He no doubt has already 
noticed the clouds yonder, hovering over the sun.” 

Then his Lordship approached the group. Flora 
had delivered his message to Kathryn, who attributed 
this as a ruse on his part of oppose her ; and when she 
heard him tell Rorey to order the boats put away, she 
resented it; her bosom heaved, and her eyes flashed 
indignation. Lifting his hat, he said : 

“Ladies, I am sorry to disappoint you, but we have 
hurried home on account of observing serious indica- 
tions of a storm; and it is impossible — you cannot go 
this time !” 

“Oh, no danger of a storm, my Lord!” they cry. 

“Oh, we must go! Twill be so delightful! Such a 
lovely moonlight night as we will have !” insisted Rosa 
and Nora. 

But he explained, and told them what he thought of 
the prospect. 

Kathryn threw her arm around Flora, and walked 
with much dignity back to the hall. The maids with 
their baskets returned indoors. 

The Earl and Edwin stood a while with Rosa and 
Nora; then they also went in. 

Kathryn, with Flora, proceeded directly to her room. 
Marie followed her mistress, and was ready to attend 
her. 

“Marie,” said Kathryn, “you may go now and leave 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


449 


us alone. Tell mother I have headache and shall not 
be down to dinner. Let no one disturb us, Marie.” 

“Eh, bien, miladi ! But zhall I nod bring you some- 
ding, a little bouillon?” 

“Nothing, Marie; I want nothing but quiet.” 

Marie went out, quietly closing the door after her. 
Kathryn threw herself on the bed, buried her face in 
her hands and sobbed convulsively. Sweet Flora sat 
by her side, saying nothing until Kathryn became 
more quiet.” 

# “Lady Kathryn, I believe my Lord, the Earl, was 
right in forbidding us ; hear the wind whistling 
around the old building. How it roars !” 

“He’s a wretch to assume such authority over me! 
He has no right, nor shall he ever have, to wield his 

authority over me! He’s a — he ” She broke 

down, sobbing more vehemently than ever. 

Then she rose, and with fiery indignation paced the 
room, her hands clenched behind her. 

“Lady Kathryn,” said Flora, “he is one of my best 
friends; the noblest and best of men, and would do 
no one wrong. It was because he loved you that he 
forbade your going to yonder isle. He would not have 
us risk our lives in the terrible storm now threatening 
even to demolish this old castle. Only list to the 
thunders’ roar! Oh, Lady Kathryn, suppose we had 
gone ; we should soon be swept off by the billows, to 
perish in the boiling sea! There! See that flash? 
How good and kind of my Lord to prevent our 
going !” 

“Flora, I would that I were in the bottom of the 
sea, or tossing on the boiling billow ; anywhere ! Oh, 
I am too wretched to live!” Covering her face with 
her hands, she wept softly for a minute ; then, throw- 
ing her arms around Flora, sobbed on her bosom. 

“Dearest; oh, Dearest! You are the most precious 
jewel on earth! How can I ever love you enough?” 


45o 


'EARL OF, FLEETWOOD 


she said, kissing Flora over and over. “And I do 
know he is the noblest and sweetest man in this world ; 
and I do love him better than my life, but I shall not 
let him know it. Never! I’ll pay him for having the 
boats put away when he knew that we wished to use 
them.” 

“I am sure he knew best, my Lady. Will you not 
bathe your face now and dress for dinner?” 

“No, Dearest; not for the world would I meet him 
again! I feel that I should swoon at sight of him. 
Go, Dearest, if you wish.” 

“No, Lady Kathryn; I will remain with you.” 

“Yet, Dearest, I will dress and go out to dinner, 
though I can eat nothing. Yes, I will don a heavy 
black dress, without a particle of color ; it will accord 
with my heart, that is like a widowed one — is crushed 
within me. I will not ring for Marie ; she will see 
that I have been weeping. If you will just assist me, 
Dearest, I will exchange this sylvan costume for this 
heavy black velvet and lace, so gaily decked with pink 
ribbons and sash. Yes, we will strip off every vestige 
of the pink — the rich bows, the sash — the scarf draped 
from the left shoulder. Unpin it, Flora ; I will want 
the pearl brooch, too, for I will use only the brooch 
and a necklace of pearls.” 

“What an odd notion, Kathryn ; how sombre you 
will look without the pink trimmings intended to be 
worn with this sumptuous velvet and black lace even- 
ing costume !” said Flora, as she deftly assisted. 

“He has broken my heart!” And tears ran like 
rain down her cheeks, falling like dewdrops on the 
soft black velvet evening dress. “Flora, I know that 
my Lord seems very good and kind, and though I love 
him best of all on earth, yet will I control my heart. 
You know he is accused of a foul crime. I must not — 
I will not love him!” 

“Lady Kathryn, it is the foulest slander ! He is not 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 451 

guilty; and my Lord Graeme is at the bottom of all 
this.” 

'‘Oh, Flora, could I believe as you do — could I know 
it — I should be the happiest mortal on earth ” 

“You are doing yourself and the Earl a great injus- 
tice to entertain for a moment belief in this foul slan- 
der. My mother says she knows that Grandfather was 
imposed upon, and that my Lord Clifton never raised 
his hand against him. The thought would be per- 
fectly abhorrent to his noble heart. Besides, my Uncle 
Donald told me my Lord is blameless. He knows pos- 
itively that my Lord is not guilty of the charge, and 
told me never to believe it against him. 

“Who is ‘Uncle Donald/ Flora?” 

“He is a sea captain, and comes home sometimes 
with my Lord Graeme; and once, when I was five 
years old, he brought me such a lovely present ! See, 
here it is !” And Flora drew from her bosom a lovely 
locket, richly decked with rubies. How it sparkled 
and glowed in her hand! Kathryn exclaimed at its 
beauty, and said : 

“Oh, take it off and let me examine it!” 

“Oh, no, no ! I have never taken it off ; he made 
me promise to wear it always. But come closer and 
examine it.” 

Kathryn drew near; for it was fastened on a gold 
chain which was clasped around her neck, and, al- 
though it was a beautiful ornament, Flora had ever 
worn it in a little case inside her clothing. 

On opening it, Kathryn beheld a bright, young face, 
not unlike Flora’s own. Beneath the miniature were 
the letters “M. M.,” handsomely engraved. 

“Flora, that resembles you.” 

“Does it? Uncle Donald said it was a relative, but 
would not tell her name nor who she was,” said Flora, 
replacing the locket in her bosom. 


45 2 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


‘‘But, Lady Kathryn, my Lord — he does not even 
know of this accusation.” 

“Could not you tell him, Flora?” 

“Oh, not for this world would I mention it and 
wound his gentle heart! Yet it seems, my Lady, you 
would, ere this, have spoken to him of this false accu- 
sation, that he might exonerate himself.” 

“No, no, Flora! I swooned twice when urged to 
tell him why I could not wed him. And, oh, it almost 
broke my heart to be forced to drive him from me 
when I love him so ! There, Dearest ; place the pearl 
brooch — so ! There ! The black robe, unrelieved, 
makes me look marble-white.” 

“Oh, like a statue !” returned Flora. Kathryn sighed 
deeply. 

“Oh, Flora, have you ever loved any one?” 

“Sweet friend,” said Flora, her face all aglow at 
this abrupt question, “I — you — I love my mother, 
yourself, and your lady mother.” 

“Oh, my Flora, think of you seeking a subterfuge! 
Aha, I guess! Can it be you love my Cousin Ned 
just a little bit? Ah, you need not confess! That 
telltale blush, it is enough.” And Kathryn, seizing 
Flora in her arms, gave her a hearty hug and kiss. 

Hortense now entered, saying: 

“My Lady, Madame, your mother, desires your 
presence a small time.” 

“Flora, you dress, and remain here until I return. 
Dearest, I go, I suspect, for a reprimand.” And Kath- 
ryn hastened to her mother just across the dressing 
room from where they were. 

A little earlier Lady Hawren had sat in the library, 
looking out on the old elms in front, standing in such 
friendly relation near where the old gate had stood, 
leaning and reaching out so lovingly toward each 
other, reminding her of a pair of lovers. Now the 
wind began to lash and toss them wildly. The tapes- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


453 

try which screened the doorway was gently raised, 
the Earl entered and sat beside her, saying : 

“Pardon me, dear aunt, for interrupting your medi- 
tations. I was looking for you, and nothing could suit 
me better just now than a private talk with you. I 
have been most unfortunate in offending, in some way, 
my cousin, Lady Kathryn. She has not been in a 
good humor with me since the fete, and has shown me 
no favor. On arriving but now, I met a bevy of girls 
hastening to the beach with their lunch baskets, in- 
tending to go to the little isle for a picnic. Seeing in- 
dications of a storm, I forbade their going, thinking 
it would be most hazardous, and ordered in all the 
boats. Kathryn appeared to be much offended ; and, 
dear aunt, I am distressed beyond measure, and know 
not now what course to pursue.” And he sighed deep- 
ly, bowing his head on his hands. 

“My Lord, Kathryn is a spoiled child; she has 
never been governed. It was wrong for her to wish 
to go in opposition to your wishes. In fact, I was 
astounded when she declared her intention of going 
with the girls, for she has been very much indisposed 
all day, confined to her bed, tossing and moaning, ban- 
ishing every one from her presence; throwing pillows 
at the maids, if they but dared to put their heads in the 
door ; has eaten no morsel of food. Only a few mo- 
ments before the girls started out she rose with a de- 
termination to accompany them.” 

“I have done wrong,” he murmured. “I have 
wounded her too deeply.” 

“What did you observe, my Lord?” 

“I may have been a little imperative, but noticed 
infallible signs of a storm, and felt it my duty to 
sternly oppose them, as they seemed so determined 
on going. Lady Kathryn appeared very angry, for 
which I am exceedingly sorry.” 

“She may have been annoyed, my Lord; she loves 


454 I EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

you too well to feel anger. She certainly was not 
angry.” 

“She scarcely has admitted that she loves me, dear 
aunt; I have never been able to converse with her on 
the subject that lies nearest my heart. There is some- 
thing unaccountable about it. She has twice swooned 
in my arms, when I have urged her to give me a 
promise, though I do feel that she loves me. Indeed, 
she has admitted it.” 

“There has been no confidence on the subject be- 
tween us, my Lord; yet I know that she loves you, 
though she has never said as much to me. I know 
that she has loved you since the first time she ever 
saw you.” 

“True, she did once admit it to me; but when I 
urged her further she swooned in my arms for the 
second time. I thought I would not disturb the house- 
hold, as on a former occasion, so placed her on a sofa 
and ran for restoratives, thinking on the return of 
consciousness she would relieve my mind ; but on 
opening her eyes she bade me leave her and would 
listen to nothing else, murmuring something about a 
promise — keeping a promise. Dear aunt, what can 
have been her meaning? To what promise did she 
refer? I have suffered much, and there is no rest for 
me till I know. I have even thought to awaken jeal- 
ousy in her heart, and told her this morning that I 
would go and offer my hand to another if only she 
would disavow her love for me. I may have been too 
cruel, aunt, but this did not move her; she sat like a 
stone, nor spoke, nor moved. Oh, dear aunt, can you 
tell me what this means? What is this promise to 
which she ever refers when I ask her to be mine, and 
which causes her so much excitement that she cannot 
speak ?” 

For a few moments Lady Hawren appeared puz- 
zled. Then cried : 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 455 

“Oh, my Lord, can it be possible she feels bound by 
a promise she made to your grandfather before she 
ever met you ?” 

“Dear aunt, did my grandfather exact a promise 
from her?” 

“Yes, yes, my Lord; she did promise him that she 
would never marry you, and — she is very conscien- 
tious. But, oh ” 

“Lady Hawren, you were once on the point of tell- 
ing me what it was my grandfather had against me ; 
but we were interrupted. I am sure Gaston set him 
against me in some way ; and, dear aunt, you said he 
called for me and said he had done me an injustice. 
It was revealed to him, you thought.” 

“Yes; just a few moments before he breathed his 
last he fell into a gentle sleep. All thought him much 
better ; he roused up with a startled look, terrible to 
behold, and, raising himself on one elbow, cried: ‘I 
have wronged him ! Oh, how I have wronged the 
noble boy ! Clifton, Clifton ! Oh, that I might see 
him once more, that I might retract all ! Louise, would 
to God I had listened to your intercession in his be- 
half !’ Then, dear Clifton, he fell back, and expired 
with your name on his lips.” 

“Then, dear aunt, if she were present and heard this, 
that he wished to retract everything, how can she still 
feel bound by the promise?” 

“As I have said, my Lord, Kathryn is very con- 
scientious ; it may be she did not quite understand that 
he wished to retract all. My Lord, I will go at once 
and have a talk with her if you desire it. We have 
never conversed on this subject. I supposed that she 
would know that you were exonerated, that the prom- 
ise was null and void; she may be laboring under the 
delusion that she is still bound by this promise. Poor 
child! I have wondered, my Lord, what trouble ex- 
isted between you, for I saw there was something but 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


456 

refrained from any interference, lest I should make 
matters worse; for you know ’tis said girls are gov- 
erned by rules of contrariness, and oft will turn against 
their own hearts’ interest when anxiety in their behalf 
is manifested by others.” 

As she rose to depart, he seized her hand, saying : 

“Oh, dear aunt, do, if possible, induce her to look 
upon this matter in the proper light. I have been most 
unhappy, and have suffered much.” 

At this juncture Annie, Miss Augusta, Rosa and 
Nora came in. On seeing the Earl, Rosa cried : 

“Oh, my Lord, there’s a great storm arising ! I am 
so glad you prevented us from going to the island !” 

“Yes,” said Nora ; “a fine picnic we would have had 
— grand moonlight — my Lord, if it had not been for 
your good judgment.” 

“And your firmness, my Lord,” added Rosa. 

“I am glad, ladies, that I arrived in time to prevent 
your going. You may think I assumed unwarranted 
authority in forbidding you.” 

“My Lord, I suppose you have sailed 'the deep, deep 
sea’ enough to become acquainted with the indications 
of a storm,” said Miss Augusta. 

“I have spent much of my time in company with old 
sailors, Miss Bruneaugh; and much of my time has 
been spent with old fishermen on the coast, near old 
Hawren Castle. I then learned what they call the 
signs of a squall.” And rising, he said : 

“Excuse me, ladies ; I will look out and see what the 
prospect portends.” And he passed into the hall. 

Lady Hawren had gone to her room, and, as we 
have seen, sent Hortense to summon Lady Kathryn to 
her presence. As Kathryn entered, Lady Hawren 
said : 

“Surely, Kathryn, you can now appreciate the Earl’s 
good judgment in forbidding your going out to the isle 
this evening. See the dark clouds roll betwixt earth 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


45 7 


and sky, forming a sombre canopy, bespeaking a fear- 
ful storm. How the wind lashes the trees, the sea 
roars! What would you do now upon the isle, where 
the sea is rolling in dark, swelling billows over the 
scene ?” Lady Hawren stood beside a casement, look- 
ing outside. Now there was a clap of thunder, and 
the whole building seemed to tremble. 

“That sounds like the Judgment! Oh, mother, I 
have been so naughty — but he used so much authority 
it made me angry! I have felt so — so ill toward my 

Lord. He — he’s ” She hid her face upon her 

mother’s bosom and sobbed. 

“Darling, you love him; why do you deny him? 
Why abuse his love so ?” 

“Oh, mother ! How can you ? Have you forgotten 
my sacred promise to one now dead? Should I love 
a man who rests under such a dark cloud of suspi- 
cion ? Mother, I supposed that you would be horrified 
at the thought ; yet you have ever seemed to ignore 
any remembrance of — anything against him.” 

“Kathryn, he’s the noblest man on earth; what do 
you mean?” 

“Oh, mother, have you forgotten what our grand- 
father told us, and my promise never to marry Lord 
Clifton? And all before I knew he was my knight, 
whom I already loved — and ” 

“Oh, Kathryn, did not you stand just behind my 
chair at grandfather’s death, and hear him retract 
everything, call for Clifton, and wish for a few hours 
more of life in which to right the wronged Clifton ; to 
change his will, and exonerate him from every false 
accusation that had been brought against him? And 
then ” 

“Oh, mother, mother ! Is this true ? Can it be ? I 
never heard a breath of it ! Oh, darling mother, why 
have you kept this from me?” 


45 $ 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Child, I thought you and Flora stood behind my 
chair and heard every word — all he said.” 

“No, mother!” And Kathryn clasped her mother so 
close that she gasped for breath. “Flora and I had 
stepped out in the great hall to walk quietly up and 
down, when at the farther end we thought we heard 
his voice and stood listening a while; but understood 
nothing he was saying. Hastening back, we reached 
the door just as he sank back and expired.” 

“Then, dear child, you did not hear his dying words. 
It seems it had all been revealed to him in a vision — 
Clifton’s innocence, and ” 

“No, no! Oh, mother, tell me every word that he 
said!” And Kathryn stood with arms lovingly en- 
twined about her mother, while Lady Hawren re- 
counted what her grandfather had said on his death- 
bed. Kathryn gazed in her charming face and said : 

“Oh, mother, mother! Why have not you told me 
this sooner? It would have saved me so much grief 
and pain ! Oh, I loved him so, and feared to tell you — 
feared to love him — and tried to keep him from know- 
ing that I loved him with my whole heart !” 

“Darling, I thought you knew it all, and would feel 
that you were no longer bound by your promise ; for 
in one word he retracted all, and you were free. ’Twas 
Gaston, no doubt, who tried to injure his cousin and 
turned grandfather against him. You must know, 
child, that Clifton is as pure and noble a man as 
lives.” 

“Oh, mother, I was afraid to, but have loved him 
since I first met him on the journey — you know, 
mother. And when I discovered my knight was the 
same grandfather told us about, one whom I must 
never love, I felt that I was dying, and swooned away. 
You remember when they brought me home nearly 
dead. I felt that I could not live. Mother, he is noble 
and good, and has so often urged me to relieve his 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


459 


mind ; for he loves me, oh, belter than his life ; and I 
had to harden my heart, for I loved him so! I have 
been so wicked and used him so badly since the fete, 
for he paid so much attention to the Baroness, and 

this morning Oh, mother, he said he would go 

to-day and offer her his hand if I would but say that 
I did not love him. But I did not — I could not speak. 
Oh, mother, do you suppose he has asked her? Oh, if 
he has ! My heart stands still ” 

“No, child; no! I know he has not, or he would 
not have said to me what he has said. He is anxious 
to make friends with you, for he thinks you are 
angry.” 

“Mother, I have been so rude to him ; and now am 
so happy! Mother, mother! And — I must see him 
this evening — and make up.” She hugged and kissed 
her mother extravagantly. 

“Yes; go, now, darling, and Oh, you are 

dressed for the evening! Why, all in black, darling! 
Yet, ’tis pretty and most becoming. Go to him and 
keep him no longer in suspense ; he is very unhappy.” 
Kathryn flew on wings of love back to Flora, and lay 
in her arms while they exchanged confidences. 


CHAPTER XLIII. 


THE STORM — THE ABDUCTION. 

“Hark the bells summon, and the bugle calls, 

But she the fairest answers not — the tide 
Of nobles and ladies throngs the halls 

But she the loveliest must in secret hide.” 

“Oh, Flora, I do love him so that I would, like 
Psaphon, teach the birds to speak his name in every 
language and proclaim to the world the bliss I feel in 


460 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


his dear love ! Flora, where do you suppose this door 
leads to ?” she asked, approaching a door on the right 
fastened with a long bar. She drew out the bar, and 
found the door opened into a long, dark corridor. 
“Oh, Dearest, don’t you wish we could see the ghost 
that inhabits the west wing, the same that so bewil- 
dered us with affright a few evenings ago?” 

“Indeed, I do not !” returned Flora. 

“Now I will close it, and ring for Marie to fetch us 
some lights ; then we will go seek the ghost. We’ll 
search in the west wing amid the old halls and pas- 
sages.” She rang for Marie. 

“Oh, my Lady ! Are not you afraid ? Think of it ! 
Two girls in a dark passage, seeking for a ghost!” 

“Flora, that just suits my present mood; we’ll have 
lights. I’m so happy I do not know what else to do 
to while away the time until dinner, when I will meet 
my dear Lord and tell him all.” 

“Oh, Lady Kathryn, consider ” 

“Sh ! Sh ! Say nothing to Marie ” 

Marie entered. 

“Marie, fetch us two rush-lights.” 

“Eh, bein! Two lights, Miladi? Zhall I nod light 
your lamp?” 

“No, I want two lights on candlesticks ; it is early 
to light the lamp yet. Bring two rush-lights, Marie, 
and say nothing to any one about it ; but hasten ! How 
the wind blows !” 

“Ess, ess, Miladi ; ze tourbillon !” 

Marie soon made her appearance, bearing two rush 
candles on holders. 

“Marie, is dinner near ready?” asked Kathryn. 

“Ess, Miladi.” 

“Go, now, and return only when I ring for you,” 
said Kathryn. And turning to Flora, who looked 
wonderingly on her, said: “I must explore this old 
passage, Flora ; I must see the ghost. Isn’t it strange 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


461 

that as long as we have been in this haunted castle the 
men have never had the temerity to go out and search 
for the ghost, the apparition, we saw on that first 
night ?” 

“It is said the place is tenanted with restless ghosts ; 
they have been frequently seen by the fishermen 
around, also that considerable terror has been excited 
among the domestics, some of whose sleeping apart- 
ments are in the basement,” returned Flora. 

“That is it, Flora ; and we’ve never hunted once for 
them ! Oh, I must see some of those spectres !” Kath- 
ryn declared, adjusting a soft mantle of black lace 
over her white shoulders, and taking up a light. 

“Oh, Lady Kathryn, consider it is getting toward 
night, and we will be lost in the darkness !” 

“No, no ; we’ll have our rush-lights ! Come, my 
timid one; take this light and follow me. We will at 
least see where this passage leads ; it may terminate in 
the old hall at the witches’ stair, thence we can easily 
make our way through the corridor to the great-hall, 
where I shall find my dear Lord ; and may even find 
him at the witches’ stair or in the corridor, bemoaning 
his wrecked hopes, or trying to curb the turbulent 
passion raging in his bosom, where I will run to him, 
ask a thousand pardons, and tell him of my deep and 
lasting love. And, dear, you shall meet your Edwin !” 
Thus she rattled on, as she removed the long bar from 
the staples that held it in place. Holding high their 
lights, they wended their way down the long, dark 
passage; there were doors on either side, leading to 
empty rooms. At the farther end of this corridor 
was a stone stairs leading down. 

“Let us descend,” said Kathryn. But Flora drew 
back in terror. 

“No, no, Kathryn ; do not go down into that 
abyss!” she cried, in terror. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


m 

"Well, here’s a door on the right of the stair; le£ 
us open it, it stands ajar.” They entered and passed 
through a great old hall, where was much rubbish in 
heaps. They paused at a door in the wall at their left, 
and tried it, but it was secured on the inside. 

"I cannot open this,” said Kathryn; "but here is a 
place where the wall is broken down partially ; let us 
look over and see what is beyond.” 

"Oh, I hear a noise!” cried Flora. "What is it?” 

"I will look,” said Kathryn. 

"Oh, I fear!” cried Flora. "I hear a soft step — 
listen!” They stood, holding their lamps aloft, and 
peering into the darkness of the space beyond the 
broken-down partition. 

"Oh, is this not interesting!” said Kathryn. "Let 
us approach nearer, and see if we can discover any- 
thing; let’s get upon the wall.” 

"No, no ; let ” They hear a grating sound, as 

if the fastening had been withdrawn from the door. 

"Oh, Kathryn, I am terrified! Let us flee!” 

"Wait ! Look — oh ” A white-robed figure rose 

from out the dark space beyond, and appeared in the 
aperture. The girls drew back in affright. The ap- 
parition moved slowly along until opposite where they 
stood trembling. Then throwing up its hands implor- 
ingly, said: 

"What seek ye here, misguided ones? Why seek to 
pry into things unearthly? Beware, beware! Oh, 
leave this awful place ere it be too late!” It paused, 
waving its hands ; then continued : "Dost not thy heart 
quail within thee with deadly fear? Dost not thy 
courage fail thee ? Fly, fly ! Thou art lost forever if 
thou quit not this dark abode of death !” 

The apparition, with a flourish of its long arms, 
disappeared. The girls had stood as if petrified. Now 
Kathryn, dropping her light, reeled against the wall 
and fell heavily to the floor near the door. The door 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


463 

was shoved open a little way, a coarse arm was ex- 
tended, she disappeared and the door closed. Flora, 
seeing this, stood as if rooted to the spot, still holding 
on to her light; then with a shriek she fled. Fairly 
dazed, she ran back through the old hall into the long, 
dark corridor, where her candle fell from her nerve- 
less hand, expiring on the stone floor. 

‘The cry of the seabird is portentous of a storm,” 
said Louis, coming in from the outside, as the Earl 
entered from the library where he had been conversing 
with Lady Hawren. His face was set and pale, his 
looks were downcast, and he walked with his hands 
behind him. 

“The evening sun is sinking down behind huge piles 
of sable and crimson clouds ; a sure sign of a storm at 
sea,” said Guy, who stood at a window looking out 
upon the scene below. 

“Aye,” said Louis ; “and his setting will be quenched 
‘like some champion in his last conflict, losing all his 
glory/ ” The Earl approached and stood beside Ed- 
win, who stood near an oriel window, listening to the 
heavy sounds from wind and wave moaning around 
rampart and buttress; for now the storm began to 
rage fiercely. There was a terrific crash, a vivid flash, 
and, looking forth, they could see in the gathering 
gloom great oaks surging, like billows, crashing and 
groaning. Windows clattered, doors clapped and 
banged. 

“The storm descends with vengeance,” said Edwin. 

“Aye, Captain,” returned Louis; “it howls and bel- 
lows like a wild beast.” 

Men and servants raved up and down the hall, 
looked out upon the evening, and vowed that no such 
storm was ever seen before. 

“The spirit of the flood seems fully awake this even- 
ing,” said Edwin. 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


464 

"Aye,” quoth Guy ; “and so also is the spirit of the 
fell stalking abroad with the spirit of the deep ; waves 
are chafing the mountainsides, the large oaks groan, 
and the rocks and hills echo back the sullen voices of 
Jupiter and Neptune.” 

“Aye, Guy, this is a fearsome storm! ‘This dread- 
ful night, that thunders, lightens, opens graves, and 
roars as doth a lion,’ will be heard from.” 

Within the Earl’s breast raged a storm comparable 
with that outside. He joined not in their talk, but 
thus he communed with his own thoughts : 

“Ever blessed light of my soul !” he groaned. “Un- 
touched by my prayers; unvanquished by my plead- 
ings ; unmoved by my threats ! The heartless love of 
admiration! Oh, whither shall I fly to mitigate the 
fever of love consuming this heart of mine ! I am 
dominated by the mysterious tyranny of love, over 
which I have no power of resistance. This sickening 
‘hope deferred’ is ” 

“Aye, aye! ‘On the dusk of the summer evening 
the blasting lightning broke.’ Heard you not that? 
A shriek !” cried Guy. 

“Distinctly!” cried Edwin. 

“Hout, hout!” said Louis. “A sea gull’s shriek, or 
the wind shrieking among the ruins.” The Earl 
turned listlessly, then continued his musing : 

“Hope has fled! Ah, never more will thy bright 
wing fan to a glow the dying embers in my heart! 
Ah, never, nevermore ” 

“Guy, you and the Captain must be nervous; are 
you expecting the ghost again to make its appearance ? 

’Twas but the howling of the storm without ” 

The door leading to Kathryn’s room flew open. Flora, 
with disheveled hair and face of marble whiteness, 
rushed in, screaming: 

“Oh, my Lord! My Lord!” All turned instantly 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 465 

toward her as she ran wildly to the Earl and threw 
herself upon his breast, crying: 

“Lady Kathryn! Oh, poor Lady Kathryn!” The 
Earl, supporting her in his arms, exclaimed : 

“Dearest, Dearest! What has frightened you? 
Where is Lady Kathryn?” 

“The ghost — the ghost !” she managed to articulate ; 
then swooned quite away. 

“Oh, what is to be done?” cried his Lordship, as he 
carried Flora into the drawing-room, where all the 
ladies were gathered with Lord de Bruce and Lord 
Phantomfell in the centre of the room, some on sofas, 
some on chairs, listening to tales of wonderful storms 
in times gone by. All rose hastily as his Lordship 
entered ; and he placed Flora gently on a sofa, request- 
ing the ladies to attend her, saying : 

“I am called elsewhere.” Then he rushed wildly 
back into the hall, and cried : “Follow me, men ! Am- 
brose? Andy! Sandy! Bring lights!” He met 
Marie running wildly from Kathryn’s room. “Where 
is your mistress, Marie?” 

“Oh, Milord, I do nod know! Zhe iss nod in her 
room, and here iss a door standing wide, witch has nod 
been before open.” 

“Here are arms, men! Captain Arranton, arm! 
Louis — Guy — arm yourselves!” Then using a little 
silver whistle, he blew a shrill blast ; men came rushing 
in. Edwin appeared dazed; but, rousing, he armed 
himself along with the Earl. Seizing arms, Lord de 
Bruce and Lord Phantomfell joined them without 
knowing the cause of the disturbance. 

“Louis, arm the men !” cried the Earl. Rapidly they 
snatched arms from the wall at the farther end of the 
hall. Guy ran to Annie, and said, in a soft whisper: 

“Take care of Lady Hawrea ; Kathryn is missing/’ 

They rushed into Kathryn’s room and found the 
door, erstwhile fastened with a bar, standing wide 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


466 


open, revealing to them a long, dark corridor. “Ian 
Macdonald,” called the Earl, “lead the way with your 
light ! Sandy, Andy, ahead with your lights !” Mac- 
donald, closely followed by Sandy and Andy, pro- 
ceeded down the dark passage, followed by the troupe 
of men, looking carefully to right and left; but all 
doors were carefully secured on the outside, as they 
could clearly see. On they hurried, pell-mell, their 
sabres rattling against the stone walls as they went. 
Reaching the stair at the end of the passage, Mac- 
donald, Sandy and Andy stopped short on beholding 
the yawning abyss which presented itself to view. 
Guy seized the cresset from old Sandy, who stood 
shivering on the brink, saying: 

“Go back and stay with the women, Sandy. On 
with your cressets, Macdonald — Andy! Follow me, 
men !” 

“To the rescue! To the rescue!” cried Louis, as 
they rushed down the stone steps. 

In the drawing-room consternation reigned supreme. 
The ladies gathered around poor Flora with smelling 
bottles and sweet marjoram water. As she began to 
regain consciousness Mrs. Macleod drew her head 
upon her bosom, and asked: 

“Dearest, what has happened? What has fright- 
ened you so ?” 

“Lady Kathryn! Lady Kathryn!” she cried. 

Lady Hawren, who had not missed Kathryn, pressed 
nearer, and asked in accents wild : 

“Where is Kathryn? Oh, where is my child?” 
Annie received her in her arms as she fell fainting 
upon her breast. 

“Hortense — help !” And with the help of Lady de 
Bruce, who hastened to her assistance, and Hortense, 
Annie placed her on the bed in her room adjoining. 
The men were all gone; the women were wild with 
excitement. Questions were plied, thick and fast, to 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 467 

poor little Flora ; but she only wept and wrung her 
hands, crying: 

“Kathryn — the ghost! The ghost!” 

Down the stone stairs went the men, on and on, 
through a cavernous room, finding at the farther end 
a door well secured ; they burst it down, and found 
themselves in a large, square room, a basement be- 
neath the square tower. At the right, in the opposite 
wall, a door stood ajar. Through this they rushed, 
into a low, narrow passage, so low they were forced 
to stoop. At the end of this narrow passage they en- 
tered a large cavern, where they felt the cool, damp 
sea air from the outside. 

The Earl and Guy, who were in the lead, now made 
their exit on the sand of the shore, a narrow beach 
behind the square tower, closely followed by the rest. 
They walked up and down, waving their lights, utterly 
at a loss to know what course to pursue. Lord de 
Bruce, with Andy and Macdonald, was scouring the 
sands along the shore. 

“I see no footprints,” said he. “Have we not been 
too hasty in starting without first knowing something 
definite?” 

The Earl, Guy and Louis, turning from the oppo- 
site direction, Guy said: 

“Aye, my Lord, we may as well return; there are 
no footprints on the sand up this way, and we were 
headed off by a great rock jutting out into the sea. 
We must return; it may be that Flora has now come 
to her self, and can give us an explanation. We have, 
indeed, been too hasty. No one has passed this way.” 

“Aye,” said Louis; “we have taken the wrong 
course, and have been too hasty in rushing off without 
first knowing something definite.” 

“Then she may be in one of the rooms,” said the 
Earl, with ashen lips. 

“Let us return,” said Lord de Bruce, “and see what 


468 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


the young lady can tell us.” The wind came on with 
a fearful gust, rain began to fall in torrents. Mac- 
donald and Andy withdrew inside the cavern, with 
their lights ; others followed. The Earl, Louis and 
Guy, still peering into the darkness, stood at the exit 
ready to turn in. There was a flash ; then a report 
from a pistol. Guy's light dropped to the ground and 
was extinguished. The flash revealed a dark object, 
at which Louis instantly fired three shots; but all 
seemed to strike the corner of the tower. 

“Bring your light, Andy ; here is someone !” They 
ran around the corner of the tower, along the sands; 
but were soon headed off by the huge stone jutting 
out into the sea. 

“My Lord, there’s nothing here but a queach and a 
huge stone barrier. The lights cannot live in this wind 
and rain. Hasten into the cavern, boys, with your 
cressets ere they are extinguished; Guy has lost his.” 
Now they stood inside the cavern. There was a sup- 
pressed groan. 

“What, Guy, are you hurt?” cried Louis. 

“Oh, my friend,” cried the Earl; “are you indeed 
hurt?” 

“Only a scratch, I assure you, my Lord.” 

“Oh, Guy, I fear you are seriously wounded!” 

“It is nothing to speak of, my Lord ; I fear my left 
arm, with which I was holding the light, has been 
broken.” 

“I saw a dark object and fired several times,” said 
Louis, “but believe I struck nothing but the corner of 
the tower.” 

“The ball whizzed over my shoulder, as I stooped a 
little to peer into the darkness; and, Guy, I feel sure 
that I was the target at which the aim was made,” 
said the Earl. 

“I thought he aimed to destroy my light, in order to 
make his escape ; he must have had a boat,” said Guy, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 469 

“His boat cannot live on these tempestuous waves,” 
Louis said. 

“We had best return,” suggested Lord de Bruce, 
“and attend to Guy’s wound ; we can do nothing here. 
Now, Guy, old boy, let me assist you. Does it pain 
you much?” 

“Not much ; yet, Louis, I fear the bone is broken.” 

“I will hold it. Let me assist you,” said the Earl 
tenderly. “We’ll place you in the care of the good 
Doctor presently.” 

Rapidly they retraced their steps, throwing open 
every door and searching each room along the dark 
corridor, as they hastened back. There was nothing 
but vacancy ; in some of the apartments the windows 
were out, and the wind howled, shrieked and moaned 
through in a most dismal way ; the old shutters flapped 
and rattled ; the storm was at its height. 

On reaching Kathryn’s room, they found a number 
of the women had gathered and were searching every- 
where, looking under the bed, into the closet, behind 
curtains, in every conceivable place, for the missing 
one. When they discovered that Guy had been shot 
all shrieked ; Annie sank into a chair, white as marble. 
The Earl and Louis conducted him into the great hall, 
and, placing him on a sofa, the Earl said : 

“Now, Guy, I shall leave you to the tender mercies 
of Doctor Godkins, for I must see Flora at once.” 

“Go, go, my Lord!” The Doctor soon ascertained 
that there was nothing more serious than a broken 
arm, which, with the help of Lord de Bruce and Louis 
Kearney, was soon splintered and bound in a most 
satisfactory manner. Annie brought her red scarf 
for a sling ; then at his request sat beside him, holding 
his other hand, while he told her all there was to tell 
about their search. 

The Earl and Captain Arranton hastened to the 
drawing-room, where they found Flora restored to 


470 'EARL OF: FLEETWOOD 

consciousness, reclining in an easy-chair and nearly 
buried among the cushions. She was near swooning 
again on finding they had not brought Kathryn. The 
portieres were drawn aside, and they could see there 
was much confusion in Lady Hawren’s room. The 
Earl sprang to Flora’s side, and, dropping on his 
knees before her, seized her hands and cried : 

“Oh, Dearest, Dearest! Tell me where you last 
saw Lady Kathryn. And what were you doing?” 

“Lady Kathryn felt very badly when we left the 
courtyard ” 

“She was angry ?” 

“Yes, my Lord, at first ; but when the storm came on 
she was glad we did not go to the isle. She was nearly 
wild, and said she wished to explore the old halls in 
the west wing, and search for the ghost. She discov- 
ered she could open the door leading to a long cor- 
ridor. We took lights, and went out in the dark pas- 
sage— — ” 

“Dearest, did you go down the stone stairway at 
the end of the corridor?” he asked anxiously. 

“No, my Lord ; I would not go. Then we turned to 
the right, through a door that stood ajar, entering 
into a great hall where we found a door fastened 
which she could not open. I urged her to go on, 
thinking we would soon reach the old corridor lead- 
ing from the ruins to the great-hall, where we would 
join you, my Lord, with the others, for dinner. But 
there was an old partition wall broken down; in the 
aperture there appeared the ghost — oh, my Lord, the 
same one! Kathryn was so frightened she fell in a 
swoon, almost against the door, which now opened ; 
a great hand was thrust in, which seized and dragged 
her through. My Lord, I was so petrified with fright 
I could not move. When I realized she was gone I 
turned with a shriek and fled back the way we had 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


4?i 

come. In the long corridor I dropped my light; but 
found my way to you.** 

During this recital Edwin stood in the doorway lead- 
ing to his aunt’s room* looking on the pair with kind- 
ling cheek and flashing eye. He was greatly disturbed. 
Then hearing a moan from his aunt, he hastened to 
her side and clasped her in his arms. Her face was 
deadly white, and she moaned piteously: 

'‘Oh, Edwin, have you found her?” 

“No, dearest aunt; there is no trace of her.” But, 
seeing she was near swooning, he continued: “But 
we will find her.” Lightnings flashed, thunders roared, 
and rain poured down in torrents. The Earl rose to 
his feet, almost staggering under the weight of an- 
guish, and said: 

“Come, Captain; we must go to the rescue. Lady 
Kathryn, your cousin, has been abducted. I greatly 
fear she has been carried hence; we must go to her 
assistance. Since we have been here, a suspicious- 
looking brig has been seen standing at a distance in 
the bay, sometimes near, at other times afar off. We 
must search, even while the storm rages.” 

In the great-hall Lord de Bruce and Major O’Con- 
nor stood talking together. “Can anything be done 
before daylight?” asked Lord de Bruce. 

“Nothing, nothing, I fear, in the midst of this 
storm !” returned the Major. “My Lord Fleetwood, 
let us hold a consultation.” And while they were in 
consultation the storm subsided to some extent. 


4 ? 

CHAPTER XLIV. 

KATHRYN IN PRISON. 

“The moon on the east oriel shone 
Thro’ slender shafts of shapely stone, 
By foliage teacery combined.” 


472 


EARL OR FLEETWOOD 


When Kathryn regained consciousness she was in 
utter darkness, save for a little light flecked in from 
a latticed oriel high up on the wall. Remembering 
the ghost, and finding herself alone, she shuddered ; a 
sickening terror shot through her soul, but she lay 
still, listening. The moon was now out in all its splen- 
dor only momently, and threw a stream of mournful 
light through the oriel. Recalling all, she started up ; 
clasping her hands, she raised her eyes in prayer : 

“Holy Father, defend me from evil !” She gazed 
around in the imperfect light. “There are grates and 
bars about me; a vaulted roof is overhead. I am 
sorely punished for my hasty temper ; how very wicked 
I have been, and my noble Lord is so good! I have 
tried his soul, and if — suppose he has offered himself 
to Lady Hermione, and has been accepted! But here 
am I, all mewed up in a cell. Oh, what is to be my 
fate? When shall I ever see him more, to beg his 
sweet pardon! Oh, just as I was so happy — a weary 
life I should live without him! Oh — oo!” she 
screamed. “Who’s this?” 

“It’s just me, my Lady ; come to see if you are want- 
ing anything.” 

“Oh,” cried Kathryn, seeing a woman by her side, 
“were you with me?” 

“Just back of yon heavy curtain, where I was sleep- 
ing, my Lady.” 

“I am glad I was not alone! Oh, I have been so 
frightened ! How came I here ?” 

“Indeed, you was brought here, my Lady.” 

“Who brought me?” 

“My husband. It was he found you in the old 
haunted hall.” 

“Where’s my friend Flora?” 

“The lady fled, went back the way she came, scream- 
ing. 

“Yes, screaming; I seem to still hear her shriek. 


: EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


473 


Sit down near and tell me where I am and why I am 
here. You seem kindly.” And Kathryn turned her 
feet off the old settee on which she had found herself 
and made space for the woman. 

“Thank you kindly,” she said, as she seated herself 
beside Kathryn. “As I have said, my husband brought 
you here, Lady.” 

“Why? Did he rescue me from the ghost?” 

“Oh, there’s no ghost ! ’Twas I trying to warn you, 
Lady.” 

“Oh, you were a ghost just in fun, to frighten us? 
Where is he now — your husband? Will he not take 
me back to my friends ?” 

“Gone to the ship, Lady, to inform my Lord of his 
good fortune. He has been for days and days trying 
to lay hands on you and carry you on shipboard.” 
Kathryn trembled visibly, and asked in a quaking 
voice : 

“Who is ‘my Lord’?” 

“My Lord Graeme, Gaston.” With a deep groan 
Kathryn sank back in a prolonged swoon. 

As Donald Dhu swung himself on deck of the Merry 
Dancer he heard Lord Graeme’s voice in the cabin: 

“With moonlight beaming 
Thus o’er the deep, 

Who’d linger dreaming 
In idle sleep? 

Leave joyless souls to live by day. 

Our life begins with yonder ray. 

And while thus brightly the moments flee. 

Our bark skims lightly 
Over the sea!” 

He found his Lordship in the cabin with the pilot, 
drinking, and singing merrily. On seeing Donald at 
the door, Lord Graeme started up hastily, and asked: 


474 


'EARL OR FLEETWOOD 


“What word, what word, Donald Dhu ? God’s sake, 
I have been quite anxious since the storm came up!” 

“Oh, my Lord, Captain! A storm, I should say, 
sure enough! ’Twas all we could do to manage the 
boat, the three of us, but got here at last after a fear- 
ful tussle. Now I would speak alone with your Lord- 
ship.” 

Gaston motioned the pilot away, who left the room 
sullenly enough. 

“In God’s name, Donald, have you shot him? I 
heard the report of several guns. What have you 
done ?” 

“Done! You’ll say done! I done more than I ex- 
pected to do this time.” 

“What ? Oh, say what ! Oh, how impatient I am !” 

“You are impatient, I admit, my Lord. Well, in the 
first place, I got the bird I have for days been trying 
to lay hands on.” 

“What ! Sure ? Why in thunder did not you bring 
her on, then?” 

“Well, I think you ought to be glad enough that I 
have got here safe without wanting to have her 
drowned. I’d never got here safe with her; she’d 
swooned dead away. I had to leave her and Jenny 
and get away as soon as possible. They were hot 
after me, I tell you.” 

“What! Left her with your wife? Will they not 
be discovered?” 

“No ; not under the old tower behind the secret 
stair. I left her in Jenny’s care till we can come and 
fetch them. We’ll have to bide our time.” 

“What was the firing I heard?” 

“Why, just as I came out from under the big rock, 
and turned at the corner of the old tower to take boat, 
the whole crowd came out of the cavern and nearly 
ran over me. It was too good an opportunity to miss. 
I singled him out and fired; I’m sure he’s well done 


! EARL OF: FLEETWOOD 


'47 5 


for, but had no time to wait, for I was fired on by the 
whole posse, and barely had chance to make my es- 
cape ; and should not if it had not been for the rain. 
It began to pour down and the men carrying the lights 
ran back into the cavern.” 

“Well, well! Donald, you are a trump; and have 
succeeded far better than I had ever hoped. But do 
you suppose we can ever elude their vigilance and 
bring her off ? Oho, my pretty Lady ; by all the gods 
if ever I get you in my power I’ll show you how to 
scorn a Graeme! We’ll have to slip in to-morrow 
night and get them. Do you think that Jenny can be 
trusted ?” 

“No trouble about that, she cannot help herself; 
they are both securely locked in the dungeon of the 
old tower.” 

“Jenny is tender-hearted, Donald, you know.” 

“Yes, I know ; but I took no risk ; they are safe. And 
the secret door is heaped up with rubbish. I saw to 
that ere I left.” 

“Well, Donald, if your aim was sure — and we must 
make sure of that — and we are successful in bringing 
off my Lady to-morrow night and unloading the cargo, 
we will set sail immediately and get away from all 
danger. Then, Donald, as soon as you can land me 
on the coast of France with my Lady — my Countess — 
this brigantine and all on board is yours. You’ve done 
me good service, and I am willing to see you well 
rewarded.” 

“Well, Captain, my Lord, there’s no telling how 
vigilant they may be; and I was thinking the sooner 
we get away from here the better. Could not we go 
over and fetch them before daylight?” 

“Faith, man, the moon is shining now as light as 
day; and unless it clouds over again we’ll have no 
darkness! By all the gods, I wish you had brought 
her along, man ; then we’d be through with all, except 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


476 

this cargo that must yet be stowed away. And yet 
had I her here I’d not stay nor risk anything for the 
cargo.” 

‘‘That was impossible, my Lord ; impossible ! I had 
either to stay there with them or make my way to the 
boat and come back with Buck Macdonnel and Bill 
Turner; and I would not have been able to do the 
latter but for the torrent of rain that began to fall 
and drove them to shelter to save their lights. But, my 
Lord, we’ll have to go and fetch them to-night or 
never; for by to-morrow night the whole of Carlisle 
will be out with the militia, and we’ll be closely 
watched, and every vessel on Solway’s coast will be 
on our track ; and the more I think of it the plainer I 
see it must be done to-night. There’s no mistake !” 

“Well, Donald, the sooner the better say I ; only, 
how are we to do it when they are on the alert?” 

“Their vigilance will not abate, but grow stronger; 
and here’s my plan: They are up now searching the 
place, high and low, and will be until near daybreak, 
when they may let up for a little rest ; then if there is 
cloud and rain — which I foretell from the growling 
thunder that continues to roar — we can draw up near 
as possible and slip in under the old rock as we have 
done for the past few days and through the tunnel 
from the old church to the vault, where I left them, 
and fetch them out.” 

“This is well, Donald, unless the windows and doors 
we have planked up are ripped open and they are 
found ere we reach them.” 

“We must try it; to wait will be ruinous. We’ll 
hover up as near as possible with the brig, then one 
hour before daylight we’ll take boats and go over, 
and while the men unlade slip in through the tunnel 
and get them.” 

“We? Yes, Donald, I will go with you. I wish to 


r EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


477 

fetch her myself. In the meantime, tell me how you 
ever managed to get her? ,, 

“It was all luck, my Lord; I just happened to get 
there in time. I went in through the cavern and could 
not find Jenny; seeing the door leading to the secret 
entrance under the stair standing open, I went through 
and up the flight of steps; then I heard her voice. 
Thinks I: ‘What in thunder is this?’ I crept on, and 
there she stood upon the wall, with a sheet around her. 
I saw a light through the old partition, and, slipping 
up, placed my eye to the crack, and there I saw the 
very bird I wanted with little Flora, and no one else. 
I hastily slipped the bar from the door. That startled 
them; and about that time Jenny stepped out into the 
aperture ; they took her for a ghost, I suppose/’ 

“Sure enough ! She was playing ghost for them !” 

“Yes, my Lord; and they were frightened near to 
death; nothing could have happened better to my 
purpose. The Lady swooned near the door. I reached 
in and got her without being seen by Flora, who went 
screaming and, I suppose, notified them all. I quickly 
secured the door on the outside and said to Jenny: 
‘What the thunder are you doing up here, anyway? 
Come along with me!’ and nearly frightened her to 
death (she is awfully afraid of me). We ran down 
the long stairway, then turned and passed through 
the hole or secret door behind all that rubbish under 
the steps, and, finding ourselves in the dungeon, turned 
into the suite of rooms Jenny and I use when I am in 
and times are good. I placed her on the old sofa, and 
bade Jenny see to her, while I secured the door and 
brought away the key. My Lord, do you expect her 
to marry you when she knows you have stolen her 
away and killed her lover? She’ll never do it!” 

“If he’s only dead, that is all that I ask. Why, I’ll 
make her believe she was stolen away by the pirates 
and I have come to her rescue ; and when she knows 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


478 

for good he is dead and I am the Earl she’ll be glad 
to marry me — and will, or it will be worse for her! 
Let me alone for that; I’ll fix it up. She did not see 
you, you say?” 

“Why, no, my Lord ; she was in a dead swoon when 
I picked her up.” 

“Then I will work it ; I will win, ‘if not by love by 
might/ She shall never escape me ! ‘What matter if 
I use force or fraud, if success but crown my efforts’ ?” 

“The moon’s obscured, and it’s raining again, my 
Lord.” 

* * * * * * 

All through the long night the men had kept up the 
search ; some bursting through false doors into secret 
cells, while others went outside and searched amid the 
ruins of the old castle and the old Abbey Church. But 
now the moon was again obscured, and, being ex- 
hausted, they decided to rest for a few hours, until 
the gray streaks of dawn began to show up in the 
east. 

One hour before dawn Captain Arranton, suppos- 
ing all others to be at rest, walked wretchedly up and 
down the flagged floor where he had first walked with 
Flora, his thoughts anything but pleasant, for a potent 
rage surged within his breast. He was experiencing 
something never before felt in his young heart. And 
now, on taking a few strides farther than his measured 
beat, he came face to face with the Earl, who, believ- 
ing himself the only one who was not having a little 
rest, walked restlessly to and fro in front of the 
witches’ stairway. 

With fiery eyes and angry brow, Edwin hailed him 
thus : 

“Well met, my noble Lord of Fleetwood! Hold, 
sir; hold! We are all plunged in deep and dark dis- 
tress; nevertheless, I demand redress for an insult 
heaped on me through my noble cousin!” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


479 

“What can be the meaning of this, Edwin? Insult? 
I look upon you as my dearest friend, excepting Guy, 
who has been so long a time with me.” 

“Draw your blade and prepare to defend yourself, 
my Lord ; for nothing but blood, your heart’s best 
blood, can wipe out so great an insult, not alone to 
myself but to one to whom you have dared to pay 
your addresses while, with the most endearing epi- 
thets, you embrace another, not only in the presence 
of the servants, but in the presence of all your follow- 
ers. It is my understanding, my noble Lord, that you 
have asked the hand of my cousin in marriage ; and 
it is well known throughout your following and all 
the household; and that her mother, my noble aunt, 
consents to the union. And here you openly and fla- 
grantly display to all that your best affections are en- 
gaged with another, while you have offered your hand 
in marriage to my cousin, Lady Kathryn Arranton, a 
lady of great honor and wealth, and have her mother’s 
consent. You told me this yourself and that but a 
quibble, a promise of some sort, extorted from her in 
an unthinking moment, was all that prevented the 
union ” 

“Hold, hold, young Hotspur! In Heaven’s name, 
what mean you? This is some incomprehensible mis- 
take ! Captain, this is utter madness ” 

“How am I to reconcile this with the fact that in a 
moment of great excitement a young lady rushes into 
your arms, where she is closely held, in the presence 
of two or three dozen men, and where with the most 
endearing terms you hold her until she swoons 
away ” 

“Edwin, Edwin! You are wild! Pray, let ” 

“Is it possible, my Lord, that while you offer to 
join fortunes with my cousin that your warmest love 
is given to another? And do you think for one mo- 
ment that my noble cousin or / will submit to any- 


480 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


thing so disgraceful and humiliating? Draw, my Lord, 
and defend yourself, for blood must flow to atone for 
this dastardly affront to a name that knows not how 
to brook an insult. My Lord, an honorable and high- 
toned gentleman would not stoop so low ! Now, draw 
your sword !” And Edwin’s blade flashed menacingly 
in the dim light. 

The Earl gently placed his hand on Edwin’s arm, 
saying : 

'‘Dear boy, there is nothing wrong in all this ; you 
see things in a false light. But, my heavens, let us 
hasten out again to the rescue of Lady Kathryn ; day- 
light is coming on apace ” 

“Hold! Not so fast! Your pretended haste shall 
not serve you at this time. This matter must be set- 
tled here and now. My cousin shall not be publicly 
used in this manner — this shameful manner ” 

“My dear boy, sheathe your sword, for we will have 
no contest at this time. Come, walk with me while I 
shall explain all in a few moments to your satisfac- 
tion. I am in the deepest affliction over the abduction 
of your cousin ; and your gross accusation adds much 
to my grief. You are excited, Edwin, and are labor- 
ing under a great mistake.” He locked arms with Ed- 
win, and they walked up and down before the witches’ 
stair. So charmingly innocent was the Earl’s air, so 
winning and persuasive his manner, that Edwin, in 
spite of himself, felt reassured. “I realize your mis- 
take, Edwin, and it is not so very surprising that you 
have fallen into this error, though I am surprised at 
the vehemence you exhibit. Flora and I were brought 
up together, and I feel toward her just as I suppose 
I should feel toward a sister. She is one of the sweet- 
est and most angelic creatures I ” Edwin almost 

drew away, but the Earl held on to his arm. “Listen, 
Edwin, and save yourself further distress. After I 
was seven years old much of my time was spent at 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 481 

Hawren Castle with my aunt, Mrs. Macleod and little 
Flora. Then they moved to Fleetwood; she was the 
pet of the household and her love-name was ‘Dearest/ 
I knew no other name for her; the endearing epithet 
of her mother became the love-name for her of all. I 
ever called her by this sobriquet until my return from 
the Continent. Since, I have tried to call her by her 
own beautiful name, Flora, for in my absence she had 
grown to be quite a young lady. But I not unfre- 
quently fall into the old habit ; and when, on last even- 
ing, she rushed so wildly into my presence with the 
exclamation. ‘Lady Kathryn, Lady Kathryn!’ I was so 
startled that I did not even know that I did use the old 
familiar sobriquet.” Edwin, with an expression of 
great relief of his fine face, grasped the hand the Earl 
extended with so much ardor and earnestness that 
after scrutinizing his face the Earl exclaimed : 

“Ha, Edwin! I begin to see a little deeper in this 
matter ! Why, my fine boy, you love Flora yourself, 
with your whole soul !” 

“How can you say that, my Lord?” asked Edwin, in 
some confusion. 

“Why, Captain, it is manifest in your behavior. 
Ha, it was not so much the imaginary misdemeanor on 
my part toward your sweet cousin as jealousy on 
yours ! I give you great joy, Captain ; on my soul, you 
do well if you win her love. She is the finest girl in 
the land, save one.” 

“An’ I do love her ; what then ?” 

“She is a woman well worthy to be won.” 

“But you must know the difference, my Lord ; there 
is a disparity of birth. Yet, she is quite a lady. I 
admit I do love her ; yet, my Lord, she has no heredi- 
tary claim to distinction.” 

‘“Hath the pearl less whiteness because of its birth? 

Hath the violet less brightness for growing near earth?’ 


482 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Edwin, would you choose for yourself wealth or 
name? Seek you a wife to give you wealth or fame? 
It is thus that peasants do bargain for wives, as men 
buy horses or cattle. It is my notion that marriage 
without love will prove a continual discord and strife — 
a hell itself — while to wed for love would prove a 
heaven of bliss. As I have said, Edwin, she has ever 
been the pet of the household. After my aunt came 
to live with my grandfather, Flora was given every 
advantage a nobleman’s daughter could have. True, 
her mother — a most excellent woman, who was for 
years my aunt’s companion and friend — lays no claim 
to rank or birth, electing to remain here after the death 
of my aunt, as housekeeper, rather than go out into 
the world. Her position in my grandfather’s family 
was that of a lucrative sinecure. Lady Hawren, my 
Aunt Margaret, loved Flora as her own child; and 
took upon herself the supervision of her education ; 
kept a governess for her. Then the Convent of St. 
Mary’s being so near, she was kept under the best 
teachers of that place also.” 

“Oh, my Lord, I find myself in a great strait! 
Flora returns my love with ardor. Yet is the hand of 
fate against me. I love her as my life ; yet she is the 
daughter of an upper servant in your employ, while 
my ancestors were of irreproachable lineage. Then 
her — her — father!” 

“I know nothing of her father, save that he was a 
seaman ; a ship’s captain, I believe.” 

“It will never do, my Lord; my pride rebells. I 
must crush this love from my life!” 

“At the same time crush her loving heart, Edwin? 
I warn you now, with all your pride, be careful ! 

'One heart, free, trusting; 

Nature’s breath and bloom, 

Is worth a thousand slaves to Mammon’s gain.’ 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 483 

“Captain, a pure woman’s love is above all earthly 
price.” 

The words of the Earl were like sunbeams breaking 
through and dispersing the clouds which had lowered 
over him since his talk with his aunt. 




CHAPTER XLV. 


THE RESCUE. 

“ — fear and anger, with alternate grace, 

Pant in her heart, and vary in her face.” 

One hour before daybreak Kathryn walked the floor 
of the old prison vault. The window, high upon the 
wall and opening on the sea, would have admitted a 
flood of moonlight but for the heavy black clouds in- 
tervening, which continued to roll and boil like a 
seething cauldron. 

Jenny had lighted a little lamp, which was sus- 
pended from the wall by a chain. There was almost 
no furniture in the room. A small table on which was 
an ewer of water, some drinking cups or beakers, and 
a couple of trenchers, and the old sofa constituted the 
contents of this room, which was “without vain art 
or curious complement.” In the adjoining room was a 
couch, near the head of which was a tall tripod or 
stool. 

Her sombre robe of velvet and rich black lace, de- 
void of decoration save a brooch and necklace of 
pearls, fell in rich folds about her elegant form, and 
the soft lace mantle fell negligently, one end over her 
white shoulder, the other trailing the floor most grace- 
fully ; her gold-brown hair, all unconfined, fell in 
ringlets about her face and even down to her waist. 

“Oh, Jenny, how long am I to remain here, in this 
dark abode? What is to become of me?” 


484 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Oh, Lady, I know little of the plans of my Lord ; 
but ” 

“How dare he capture and imprison me!” she cried, 
stamping the ground indignantly, her face flaming, 
her eyes sparkling with anger. 

They hear footsteps outside, a ponderous bolt is 
turned, the door opens, and Gaston Graeme stood be- 
fore her. She trembled visibly, but with haughty mien 
she faced him. Gaston sprang forward with an ex- 
pression of joy on his face, which was marred with an 
ugly cicatrice on one cheek, beyond a doubt inflicted by 
the heavy hand of Hector, giving to his nof over- 
handsome face a less pleasing appearance. 

“Oh, how glad am I, dearest Lady Kathryn, that I 
have found you! How very fortunate! I have come 
to save you from the fearful pirates into whose hands 
you have fallen. How fortunate that I chanced to 
arrive just in time to join your friends in the search 
for you!” 

“How dare you, sir!” she said, choking with rage. 

“Sweet cousin, we have no time to lose. Let us 
hasten to your poor mother, who is nearly wild with 
grief at your disappearance. Come! Your captors 
may return at any moment, shoot me, and bear you 
hence.” He approached to take her hand, but she 
drew back, crying: 

“Traitor! Why come you with falsehood on your 
lips?” 

“No, dearest cousin, child of the morning, I have 
found you alive and well; only trust me and let me 
save you from those foul pirates who infest this place ; 
and who on last night in a melee slew the noble Earl 
of Fleetwood and who will come presently, beyond a 
doubt, to bear you hence on shipboard and over the 
sea.” 

She seemed turned to stone ; she clasped her hands 
and exclaimed wildly: “You have killed him! You 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 485 

have killed him !” He expected her to swoon, then he 
would carry her away ; but she did not. 

“Oh, no, cousin ; not I ! The pirates who have you 
in their power. Come, ere they return; let me take 
you to your sweet mother, who is wild with uncon- 
trollable grief at your abduction. I have but just ar- 
rived at the old castle, and, finding your mother dis- 
traught with anxiety, at her request joined in the 
search. How glad she will be that I have found you !” 

“Is he — is he, indeed, slain ?” 

“We are not quite certain on that point ; but come, 
we will go and ascertain,” he said, feeling that he was 
beginning to gain her confidence. 

Kathryn was wavering; she was so wretched and 
so wished for a friend just now, any one who would 
only take her to her mother ; and, feeling that she must 
swoon from terror, she cast an inquiring glance at 
Jenny, who sat just inside the next apartment, screened 
from Gaston’s view by the partition. Jenny, compre- 
hending her glance, quickly shook her head, indicat- 
ing that she could not trust him. Drawing back as 
far as possible against the wall, with superb scorn she 
stood before him, her eyes flashing fire, her cheeks 
aflame with potent rage. 

“Thou false Gaston!” she cried, stamping her little 
sandalled foot. “You might, for your pertinacity, be 
called Phoebus Apollo! I would rather, by far, be 
seized by a hungry lion and torn to shreds than to be 
rescued by such as you, who have dragged me away 
from my friends and confined me in this dungeon! 

You have — you — you ” She choked up ; she could 

not speak, so overcome was she with rage. She would 
not trust him, neither did she swoon ; he should have 
to take her away by force, and that instantly; there 
was no time to lose. He said : 

“Yes, gentle cousin, you are my captive. But I beg 
to assure you I shall show you so much courtesy and 


4 86 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


love that you will think your prison does much out- 
match whatever pleasures your liberty may have 
known ; you shall have no other prison but my cham- 
ber, and no other jailer than myself. Come, sweet, 
sweet one!” 

'‘Never! Thou villain !” And she shrank with hor- 
ror at his nearer approach. His face grew dark with 
anger, and he said: 

“You shall go with me! Three strong men stand 
without to bear you hence.” And stretching forth 
his hands, he would have grasped her arms, but hear- 
ing an unusual noise, he turned quickly and looked 
outside. 

****** 

“What has come over me! In spite of myself, my 
heart is light — lighter than for days. How encourag- 
ing the Earl’s talk! The noble Earl, who has been 
brought up with her, and has heard never a word 
against her father ! May he not have been an honor- 
able man ? My aunt may have been misled ; some un- 
worthy person, possibly, has made this story which 
my aunt has heard. People are so quick to listen to 
anything derogatory to a man’s character. Yes, the 
Earl is right — he certainly knows best: ‘A pure 
woman’s love is above all earthly price.’ And Shake- 
spear says: ‘ ’Tis better to be lowly born and range 
with humble lives in content than to be perked up in a 
glistning grief and wear a golden sorrow.’ Love is 
blind and cannot see.” 

Edwin walked on tiptoe up the great-hall, in order 
not to awaken or disturb those who were there trying 
to get a few moments’ rest. On into the drawing- 
room he went, thinking he wished to ascertain how his 
aunt was now resting before starting out once more 
on the search the moment they could detect a signal 
of daylight. At his aunt’s door he paused and asked 
of Lady de Bruce if his aunt had obtained any rest. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


487 

She assured him that Lady Hawren had just fallen 
into a gentle slumber, the first moment of quiet she 
had enjoyed. Among the number watching about 
Lady Hawren’s bed he saw not the one for whom his 
restless eye was seeking. Turning disappointedly 
about, he crossed the drawing-room, in which a light 
burned dimly, yet saw not that sweet form. Drawing 
aside the portieres at the library door, he stepped in- 
side. A streak of dim light fell through the space 
above the tapestry, by which he recognized a form “di- 
vine” beside the window, almost enveloped in the Per- 
sian hangings. He realized in a moment ’twas Flora, 
and flew to her side; and found her weeping for her 
dear friend Kathryn. Through the night there had 
been no rest for any. The ladies had attended Lady 
Hawren in her great distress. Silently he took her 
yielding hand, and, pressing it to his lips, he said: 

“Weep you here, dear Flora, for my sweet cousin?” 

“Oh, Captain, where is she? Who has carried away 
my sweet friend?” 

“Dry your tears, sweet friend; we go even now to 
find her; I feel assured that we will be successful in 
our efforts when we may have the friendly aid of 
daylight. You may now see from this window, sweet 
Flora, the streaks of gray which portend the near 
approach of dawn.” Bowing her head to wipe away 
the tears, a golden shower fell around her face; he 
lifted the soft tresses back on her shoulders, and, 
drawing his arm around her waist, he said softly : 

“Dearest ! Dearest !” 

She looked up quickly, questioningly ; he had re- 
cently appeared so distrait and unhappy. 

“Will not you now tell me your sobriquet, your love- 
name ? You promised me ; ‘sometime/ you said.” 

Looking steadily into his eyes, she answered : “Dear- 
est.” 


488 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Yes, yes; ‘Dearest/ I found it out! Now may I 
not call you so always?” 

“You may, Edwin,” she returned softly. 

“Then, oh, Dearest, Dearest ! Will you be my ” 

“Captain! Captain Arranton, someone called quite 
near. We must be getting on now, and you must take 
command of a troop.” 

Giving her a hasty and rapturous kiss, Edwin 
reached the door just as Louis drew aside the drapery 
and said: 

“Oh, here he comes ! Captain, I trust you have had 
a refreshing rest ; but now we can wait no longer, the 
night is spent and we must away.” He then heard the 
Earl calling the men to action : 

“ 'Rouse, 'rouse, my men, to action ! My cousin 
languishes in prison somewhere amid these old ruins, 
and we must hasten to her assistance. We will soon 
have the benefit of daylight. This old castle must be 
searched from turret to dungeon.” 

“ 'Rouse, men ; 'rouse yourselves to action !” cried 
Louis. “And let us forth like gallant knights to the 
rescue of the fair Lady. Arm, arm! An’ it had not 
rained Jeddart Staffs all night we might ha’ done 
somewhat ere this.” 

“Captain Arranton, let us select ten men, and we 
will go down the long corridor — the way we first went 
last night— and I will ask Lord de Bruce and Major 
O'Connor to select ten men each and pass out at the 
corridor to our right and among the ruins of the old 
Abbey Church,” directed the Earl, who looked pallid 
and most wretched. 

“Are you well weaponed, my men?” asked Edwin. 

“Aye, aye ; well weaponed, Captain ; well weaponed, 
and fear neither dog nor devil ; and will find the dear 
Lady or die in the effort !” said Louis. 

“Twue, twue, Mistuh Keaahny! Damme, we go to 
do ow die!” said Lord Phantomfell, as they filed out 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


489 

through Kathryn’s room and down the long corridor. 

Doctor Godkins was left with the ladies and Guy, 
who would have gladly accompanied them but for his 
wound, which was very painful. Annie sat beside him 
and offered him consolation as they watched the men 
filing from the great-hall in three different directions. 

Captain Arranton and the Earl, side by side, led the 
way down the long corridor ; instead of descending the 
stairway at the farther end, they turned to the right, 
and ascending a flight of steps, made their way into 
many rooms with innumerable doors and windows, all 
securely planked up. Eagerly and quickly the men 
ripped the planks from a door, thus gaining ingress to 
a large room they had not beofre entered. Pausing, 
they looked about ; then from room to room they ran, 
ascending and descending stairways, looking into clos- 
ets and side rooms ; then, after descending a long stair, 
they discovered a heap of rubbish — old boxes and 
broken furniture — heaped up behind the stairway. On 
clearing away this rubbish, a secret door was found, 
fastened on the opposite side. This was forthwith 
broken in, and, passing through, they entered a long 
passage, at the farther end of which was found a 
flight of steps leading down, a heavy stone wall on 
either side. Down these steps they went, pell-mell. 
Halfway down they had a glimpse of three figures 
flitting past in the room below, followed presently by 
another in great speed. Having scarcely any light, 
they could not tell who they had seen. 

“Forward, men!” cried Captain Arranton. 

“Follow, follow, boys !” cried the Earl. At the foot 
of the stair Edwin with his men turned to the right 
after the fugitives, who were now seen dashing 
through a doorway in the opposite side of the great 
vault in which they now found themselves. 

Looking to the left whence the fugitives had sped, 
the Earl saw a door standing ajar. Stepping softly 


490 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


up to it, thinking there were possibly others, and hold- 
ing his pistol ready to fire, with his foot he shoved the 
door wide. “Surely Eros was directing his steps/’ for 
at the farther side of the room, even against the wall, 
Lady Kathryn stood, holding her breath, as if awaiting 
a visit from Nemesis, her eyes flashing in anger, which 
“still was sweet.” He stood rooted to the ground 
with surprise, his pistol aimed directly at her head. 
How his heart bounded with joy. “But hope’s bright 
wing was checked with fear” on beholding the proud 
anger depicted in her face. And recalling the angry 
flashes she had given him at their last meeting, he 
wondered how she would receive him. His pistol fell 
to the floor with a crash. 

Now she seemed ready to swoon with surprise and 
seeing the Earl stand before her in all his glorious 
manhood. 

“Have I at lajt found you, my angel !” he cried, his 
fears soon turned into joy; for with a look of unut- 
terable joy and disregarding all conventionality, she 
stretched forth her hands and cried, as she ran to him 
and twined her arms about his neck : 

“You are not dead! You are not dead!” and sank 
on his bosom in a blissful swoon. Looking about to 
see if there was any one else here, he saw Jenny stand- 
ing in the door of her room. 

“Are there any men about?” he asked. 

“No, my Lord; there was but one in here, and he 
fled.” 

“We are then safe from interruption?” 

“Yes, I think so, my Lord; but in order to make it 
doubly safe I will fasten the door on the inside,” she 
said, as she slipped a bar through the hasps. 

“Can you aid me to restore the Lady?” 

“Oh, sir, I will do all possible for her! Please, sir, 
lay her in here on this bed, my Lord !” They placed 
her on Jenny’s couch, and he sat beside her on the 


l EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


491 


high stool which stood by the bed head, still holding 
her fair face close up against his shoulder; for she 
rested on his arm, as though he could not let her go. 
He smoothed back her clustering hair, soothing her 
cheeks and forehead with his right hand. 

Jenny, wiping the tears from her eyes, assisted him, 
chafing her hands, and talking all the while. 

“I suppose you are the one — are you the Earl of 
Fleetwood ?” 

“Yes,” he replied, tenderly stroking Kathryn’s brow. 

“Oh, poor darling!” she continued, again having 
recourse to the corner of her apron; for her sympa- 
thetic tears flowed freely. “That is why she fainted ; 
she was told you had been killed.” 

“Who was it rushed from this room but now?” 

“Lord Graeme, my Lord ; he told her that you were 
shot last night. Oh, poor dear! It near killed herl” 

“Oh, the villain! Have you been with her all the 
time? Oh, darling, darling! Open your eyes, and 
speak to me!” 

“Yes, my Lord; since she was brought here in a 
swoon last evening. We were both locked up here 
overnight, while Donald, who brought her, went back 
to the ship to fetch my Lord Graeme, or I would have 
notified you in some way.” 

“Thank you, my good woman ! You were not then 
partaker in this crime?” 

“Oh, my Lord, no ! I would have warned her away, 
and did try; but Donald kept such close watch over 
me.” 

1 “Could you bring a little water, my good girl?” 

' Jenny ran into the next room to get some water 

from the ewer there. Close to his bosom he held “that 
form of maiden loveliness,” longing yet fearing to 
meet those dark-brown eyes. Would she again drive 
him from her? The fringed lids quiver; slowly her 
eyes are opened, and with a look of intense love she 


492 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


smiles sweetly up in his face. All anger and dismay 
had passed from that fair brow ; her heart beat wildly 
against his own ; her smile was one of sweetest con- 
tentment. His fears were banished, for, blushing like 
a rose, she twined her arms about his neck. Wildly 
he kissed her lips, as she sank into a rapture, or semi- 
syncope. 

Jenny returned with a jug of water; and, as she 
bathed Kathryn’s face, his Lordship asked: 

“Who was it, you said, brought her here — Donald 
who ?” 

“My husband, sir ; Donald Dhu, captain of the brig 
yonder.” 

“Ah !” 

“I wished to keep her away, sir; for I knew my 
Lord Graeme wished to get her and had bargained 
with Donald to capture her and set them on the coast 
of France, where he has a chateau, my Lord. He was 
to give Donald the brig for it, sir; the Merry Dancer . 
Donald is not so bad, my Lord ; but wished, more than 
all things, to own a good ship, sir. I saw them walk- 
ing in a large old hall, sir, my Lady here and another 
one, and made myself a spectre to frighten them away ; 
said all I could to frighten her so that she would stay 
away from the ruins. She was sorry frightened, your 
Lordship ; indeed, she swooned, and just then I saw 
my husband coming. He stopped, and, prying through 
a crevice, said: 'She is the very one I want!’ And, 
reaching in, he brought her out. Making me follow, 
he took her to our own rooms and locked us both in. 
Lord Graeme and three men came over this morning 
to carry us on board the brig. And soon we would 
have been on the way to France had not your Lord- 
ship found the hidden entrance to this part of the 
vaulted basement. Lord Graeme owns a chateau on 
the French coast where he intended to keep her until 
she would consent to marry him.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


493 


Kathryn opened her eyes. The Earl put his face 
down close to hers, and said : 

“Darling, darling! Have I found you at last, and 
safe from harm? ’Tis heaven to hold you once more 
to my breast ! Surely Eros directed my steps and led 
me to you.” He felt through every nerve and vein a 
glow of ardor, an ecstasy of joy. More dear to him 
was each dawning smile and bright glance of eye, since 
the slight estrangement which had existed for the 
few days past between them. 

“Yes, yes, my sweet Lord! And so happy! They 
told me you were dead ; I felt I could not live, for, oh, 
I do love you so! And I know now — it was false! 
You have been cruelly wronged, my own! And, my 
noble, sweet Lord, that promise that held me from you 
is null ; it was absolved at my grandfather’s death — 
mother told me. I am your own ! I have been unkind 
to you ; but it was because my poor heart was break- 
ing and I feared you would know how much I loved 
you. I did not know, then, what my mother has since 
told me. That promise is no ” He kised her re- 

peatedly and said : 

“Darling, you are my treasure! And now that I 
have found you I cannot let you go again.” 

“My Lord, after mother had told me all — that prom- 
ise was not binding, and everything — I was hastening 
to tell you, so happy was I. We were going to sur- 
prise you, by passing through the ruins by a door we 
had found. I thought to find you somewhere, tell you 
all, and ask your sweet pardon a thousand times for 
my cruelty. I loved you so, my Lord ! But feared to 
let you know. I ask you to forgive ” 

“Darling, I freely forgive you as I would be for- 
given. Do I then rest in your sweet forgiveness?” 

“Truly, my sweet Lord, I have naught to forgive ; 
in all things you have been gloriously noble! How 
could my heart so rebel against my reason, and how 


494 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


could my tongue so rebel against my heart?” Her 
beauty was heavenly, radiating purity and innocence ; 
and there was a tender magic in her voice which 
touched and fell like gentle dew on his heart, melting 
him to tears. 

“Darling, what a blessed meeting is this after a day 
and night of unutterable anguish, once again to hold 
you to my breast — which shall henceforth be thy rest- 
ing place !” 

Kathryn now noticed Jenny, who stood near by 
wiping her streaming eyes. Making an effort to rise, 
the Earl raised her to a sitting posture on the side of 
the bed, and she said : 

“My Lord, this is the kind woman whose compan- 
ionship and sweet sympathy I have had since I was 
brought to this place.” 

“I am bound to you, good woman, for the service 
and kind sympathy you have rendered this lady during 
her imprisonment.” Drawing a very pretty though 
not a showy ring from his little finger, he said : 

“Will not you wear this for her sake?” 

“My Lord — thank you — it was a sad pleasure to me 
to be able to serve this dear lady ; besides, only doing 
my duty to a noble lady in distress.” 

“Come, darling, I must restore you to your mother, 
whose heart is breaking. Think you that you will be 
able to ascend the many stairways and traverse the 
long halls intervening between this place and the 
drawing-room, even if it be possible for me to find the 
way back through the winding labyrinth of passages 
and stairs?” 

“I will rise, my Lord, and see if I have strength to 
walk; my nerves have been greatly wrought upon, 
through suffering and terror.” And leaning on his 
arm, she walked the floor to try her strength. “But, 
my Lord, how is it you are all alone in your search 
for me?” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


495 


“Edwin and the men have gone in pursuit of one 
whom we saw fleeing from this apartment as we de- 
scended the stairway outside here.” 

“My sweet Lord, did you know who it was?” 

“No, sweet love, I did not ; I had only a glimpse of 
someone fleeing in an imperfect light. But this woman 
has told me the shameful truth. Perhaps, good woman, 
you can direct us out of this place, and save us going 
the roundabout way which I came. Come, sweet 
love” — drawing her mantle about her shoulders and 
giving her another warm kiss — “I must restore you to 
your mother ; then look after my men.” 

Jenny unbarred the door, saying: 

“Then come this way, my Lord. I can soon put you 
in the long corridor that will lead you to the part 
occupied by your friends.” 

The Earl placed his arm about Kathryn to lend her 
assistance for the olng tramp, for he found her very 
weak ; and they followed Jenny, who, instead of tak- 
ing the stairway down which the Earl had come, went 
behind this and, removing some rubbish, opened a 
plank door through which they passed, and found 
themselves in the great cavern through which the Earl 
and his men had passed on the evening previous when 
they first started out in the search. 

As Jenny was leading them through the long, nar- 
row passage, Kathryn said: 

“It is her husband, my Lord, who brought me 
hither ; he is captain of the brig.” 

“Poor woman! It will go hard with him if he is 
taken,” he said. On reaching the foot of the stair, 
Jenny said : 

“Take this flight of steps, my Lord ; it will take you 
to a long corridor, which will lead you to the rooms in 
the front of the building.” 

“Thank you, good Jenny ; but will not you go with 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


'496 

“I thank you, my Lord; I must first see what has 
become of my husband. I fear he is in trouble, and 
may need me.” 

“Good woman, if you should find yourself in trou- 
ble, do not fail to come to me for assistance at any 
time.” 

“No,” said Kathryn ; “you have rendered me much 
kindness. I shall not forget you, Jenny.” 

“I thank you, my Lord — my sweet Lady,” she said, 
as she turned to retrace her steps. 

With earnest solicitude the Earl lent his assistance 
to Lady Kathryn, as they proceeded up the long stair- 
way. There being no one by whom he could convey 
the intelligence that Kathryn had been found, they 
walked on to announce to them the happy fact by her 
appearance among her friends. The doors and win- 
dows which had been thrown open in the search and 
left to flap and clatter in the wind now admitted a 
charming morning twilight, all rosy and bright. As 
they slowly wended their way, he said : 

“And now, darling, you will be my bride?” 

“Yes, my Lord, if — oh ! — if you have not asked the 
Baroness ” 

“Darling,” he said, kissing her, “no, I have not 
seen the Baroness ; neither wished to see her. Can you 
forgive me for resorting to a strategem in order to win 
you over through jealousy? I could never think of 
wedding another while you live on this earth. But I 
could not understand your silence on yesterday morn- 
ing when ” 

“My Lord, I was forced to strain every nerve to re- 
frain from shrieking out ; the pain at my heart was so 
great the blood seemed frozen in my veins ; I was 
incapable of speech.” 

“Sweet one, can you ever forgive me for causing 
you such exquisite pain? I will atone by a life of de- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 497 


votion. But how happened it you did not sooner 
learn that promise had been annulled?” 

“My sweet Lord, I always tried to hide my love for 
you, especially from my mother. I felt guilty in suf- 
fering myself to love you under the circumstances, 
which you do not yet know and which I could not 
force myself to explain to you ; for you know I twice 
swooned when urged by you to say why I could not 
give you my love. I could never speak the cruel words 
that would wound you so deeply. I loved you, my 
Lord, from the very first ; but this promise, like a grim 
spectre, always hung between us, robbing me, as it 
were, of my very life. But here we are at the door. 
I must hasten to my poor mother. I will make it all 
up to you, my sweet Lord, by a life of pure love and 
devotion.” 

He kissed her lips as they entered that door through 
which on the evening before she and Flora had passed 
so joyously to explore the ruins. 




CHAPTER XLVI. 


A DENOUEMENT. DEATH OF DONALD DHU. 

“It comes — it wrings me in my parting hour, 

The long-hid crime — the well-disguised guilt. 

Bring me some Holy priest to lay the spectre.” 

Doctor Godkins walked the floor in the great hall, 
conversing with Guy, who still occupied the sofa, 
while Annie sat beside him. Turning in his walk, 
with a hasty stride, he found himself face to face with 
the Earl and Kathryn, who had just emerged from the 
corridor and stood in the door of her room. 

“Well, bless my soul ! Here is the Earl ; with Lady 
Kathryn looking as lovely and happy as a May morn- 
ing, well and unharmed, after all our anxiety,” he 
said, as he advanced to meet them. 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


' 49 % 

With a little shriek, Annie rose and clasped Kathryn 
in her arms. Guy, still reclining, extended his hand 
to Kathryn, who exclaimed: 

“Oh, my friend, what is this? Have you been hurt 
in searching for me? My Lord, you told me not of 
this 1” 

“No, my Lady, I did not. I was too deeply in- 
terested in another subject.’’ 

She ran into the drawing-room, among the women 
gathered there, and was received with acclamations of 
great joy mingled with shrieks of astonishment. 
Throughout the long night the Doctor, Lady de Bruce 
and Mrs. O’Neal had attended Lady Hawren, for she 
had gone from one swoon to another ; but now, at 
the sound of Kathryn’s glad voice, she woke to sensi- 
bility and rushed forth in dressing-gown and dishev- 
eled hair ; her face, which had been like Oriental 
marble, now ablaze from excitement, she looked not 
unlike the pictures we see of Cordelia in her meeting 
with King Lear, and fell, almost swooning, from a 
reversion of feeling, into Kathryn’s arms. 

From unutterable anguish to supreme happiness, the 
change was life-giving. Turning to the Earl, who kept 
close to Kathryn’s side, she cried : 

“Oh, my dear Clifton, you have found my child, and 
have brought her to me!” She gave him a rapturous 
hug and kiss, and, with a mother’s intuition, she at 
once realized the happy relation existing between them. 

“Oh, how I wish I had found Lady Kathryn — to 
receive such reward!” said Doctor Godkins, aside, to 
Annie, as they stood in the doorway taking in the 
happy scene. 

“I doubt it not,” said Annie, with a happy smile. 

“Yes, Lady Hawren,” said the Earl, placing her 
in a deep chair; “I am most happy to restore your 
daughter safe and unharmed ; and can now, if you will 
accept him, present you a son also — if these women 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


499 


and girls ever get through with their hugging and 
kissing.” And, taking Kathryn by the hand, he knelt 
with her before Lady Hawren, and continued : “Lady 
Kathryn has promised, with your consent and bless- 
ing, to become my wife.” 

“My Lord, I am highly gratified, and freely give 
you for your bride the heiress of Hawren. She shall 
not lack a superb dowry.” 

And, placing her hands on their heads, she bowed 
her face upon his manly shoulder and fervently asked 
the richest blessings of Heaven upon the happy pair ; 
and, after she had kissed them, they rose, and happy 
congratulations filled the air. 

“He, he, he !” Phyllis stood in the doorway of 
Lady Hawren’s room, her arms folded across her 
breast, shaking with suppressed emotion/ 

“He, he, he ! Dun foun’ li’le baby, an’ I ’spect 
gwine ter lose her ’gin terectly ! He, he, he !” Kathryn 
untwined her arms from about Flora’s neck and threw 
herself on the bosom of her faithful old nurse, saying: 

“Oh, you dear old Mammy Phyllis! This is the 
happiest day I ever knew.” 

“Sho’ ‘nuf, Honey ! I des’ pray de good Lawd to 
bress you an’ de noble Yearl, my Lawdship. He de 
nobles’ man in dis wurl!” 

“Now, indeed, I must tear myself away and seek my 
men, who may be in need of assistance,” said the Earl. 

But there was now heard a shuffling noise in the 
great-hall, as of rolling furniture, and Sandy and 
the butler rushed in, with terror-stricken faces, say- 
ing: 

“Let us move out a couch for the wounded — another 
couch,” and they hastily drew a great sofa into the 
center of the drawing-room. “Make preparation for 
attending the wounded !” Then Rorey and Macdonald 
appeared among them, with Edwin, all pale and bleed- 
ing, walking between them, supported by their arms. 


5oo 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


They placed him on the sofa, while ringing footsteps 
were heard in the hall and several men appeared bear- 
ing the body of Lord Phantomfell, seriously wounded, 
and placed him on the lounge which had just been 
wheeled into the great-hall. And poor Andy M’Graw 
had been taken to the servants’ hall, where he lay 
bleeding ; badly gashed in more than one place. 

Kathryn ran to Edwin. Sinking upon her knees 
and clasping her hands, she cried out : 

“Oh, Cousin Edwin ! Must you, too, suffer for 
my waywardness? Oh, I am so unfortunate to cause 

all of ” Edwin’s face turned white, and he sank 

into unconsciousness. Kathryn, thinking him dead, 
sank back in a dead swoon. The Earl took her in his 
arms to her room and gently placed her on her bed; 
and leaving her in the care of Mrs. O’Neal, Marie 
and Phyllis, returned to Edwin. Flora had run into 
Lady Hawren’s room, whence she heard Kathryn cry, 
and, looking forth, saw Edwin pale and deathlike, 
and fell fainting across Lady Hawren’s bed. Mrs. 
Macleod and Lady de Bruce ran to her assistance. 
Numerous attendants thronged the hall. 

Doctor Godkins gave attention, first to Edwin, 
whose injury he soon pronounced was caused from a 
lacerated flesh wound in the shoulder, saying that he 
had only yielded to a swoon from the loss of blood; 
and with the gentle aid of Lady Hawren, who could 
not be induced to leave his side and who bravely ren- 
dered all the assistance in her power, Edwin was soon 
rendered quite comfortable. Then the Doctor turned 
his attention to Lord Phantomfell, who, extended on 
a lounge in the great-hall, was giving utterance to 
some complaints and full-grown groans, and hurling 
invectives at Silas, old Sandy and the butler, who 
were doing all possible for him until the doctor could 
have liberty. 

“Boys, you seem to be doing quite well with the 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


5or 


patient. Any bones broken, or is it just a flesh 
wound like the others?” asked the Doctor, as he 
bustled around. 

“Oh, Doctor, my poo leg is shattered, I have no 
doubt. I feel assuwed amputation will have to be 
wesohted to ; then I shall die ! I cannot live and be 
foced to go through this woold on one leg. I am 
wuined, Doctor ; wuined !” 

“Oh, have patience, my Lord; we shall soon see to 
this matter.” 

After a short examination the Doctor pronounced 
His Lordship’s wound not so very serious — only a 
flesh wound in the thigh, the ball ranging downward 
for several inches, grazing the bone all the way. It, 
too, was soon dressed, and just as all were beginning 
to feel relief there was heard a great tramping of feet 
from the old corridor. 

* * * * * * 

The Earl, on the previous evening, on learning of 
Kathryn’s abduction, had despatched a messenger to 
the Lord Lieutenant at Carlisle for a body of reserve 
militia, who, having been requested to take effectual 
steps for the suppression of the unlawful trade, so 
much practised at this time — for there had been for 
years contraband trade with France — had stationed 
militia at a number of points on the Solway, it having 
been noised about that very many of the common 
people along the coast were engaged in smuggling; 
and in many instances the gentry connived at them. 
Thus the officers of the revenue were often thrown 
off their duty by the citizens, who should have pro- 
tected them, and thus there had recently been some 
contraband adventures. 

It happened that Captain McNeil had been sta- 
tioned, with his company of reserves on the Solway, 
between the old castle and Carlisle, and was now sent 


502 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


immediately to the Earl’s assistance. Arriving a little 
before good daylight, and meeting Lord de Bruce 
and Louis, with their men, near the ruins of the 
old church, he fell in with them in the search. Now 
Captain McNeil determined to search thoroughly the 
old subterraneous passages and basement of the ruin- 
ous old church edifice ; and set out with much earnest- 
ness of purpose. Bursting through a door which had 
long been locked and overpiled with rubbish, they 
found themselves in a cavern where doubtless contra- 
band trade had long been kept up. It was now piled 
high with illicit goods, and appeared to be a place 
where outlaws hoarded the stolen proceeds of their 
occupation. Now they heard a confusion of sounds 
in an adjoining compartment of the cavern, for there 
was a door standing slightly ajar, which opened into 
a rocky cave ; and they could hear the roar of the 
sea outside and the dash of the waves upon the rocks. 
With a lusty flourish of trumpets, Captain McNeil 
and his men rushed onto a ship’s crew who were en- 
gaged in depositing an illicit cargo. The flourish 
of trumpets roused the men to action. With deaf- 
ening cries and the rattling and clashing of arms, the 
soldiers assail the smugglers, who are well equipped 
for a fight, but were surprised. 

“Bows and bills! Bows and bills! Boys, onto 
them!” was the well-known shout of the Scots. 

“Bows and bills! Bows and bills!” With hoarse 
cries they rush into the melee. A furious combat en- 
sues — a hand-to-hand fight. There were sword-thrusts 
that called forth shrill cries of pain, yells and curses. 
Now the smugglers turn and flee, for their boats 
stand just outside the mouth of the cavern, to which 
there is no approach save by boats, and it was so 
overrun by bracken that it had never been noticed by 
any while in boats on the inlet. They left a number 
of killed and wounded, and while the others were pur- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


503 

suing the fleeing outlaws, Louis came upon a ruffian 
already bleeding from many wounds. 

“Who is here? Thou art a thing of blood, whose 
every motion cried out for help !’ ” cried Louis, com- 
passionately. 

“Saint Hubert, man; ’tis only a sword-thrust. But 
I shall not outlive this.” 

“A dozen sword-thrusts, my poor man, you might 
say.” 

“I came here to warn my men away, but every way 
I turned I received a thrust. I am Donald Dhu, cap- 
tain of yon smuggling craft, and have but one re- 
quest to make of you. I wish to be carried to my 
sister, whom you may know — Mrs. Macleod.” 

“Know ! Yes, Donald Dhu ; and I have heard you 
named as one of Lord Graeme’s followers, but never 
expected to find you engaged in this illicit business.” 

“Enough, enough, man ; only take me to my sister. 
I cannot die without making a clean breast to her 
and asking her forgiveness ; and there are others con- 
cerned — Lady de Bruce, and the Earl of Fleetwood, 
too. I must confess,” he said, with a groan. 

“I will do that for you, poor Donald Dhu, for they 
say the tongues of dying men enforce attention. Now 
the foe is vanquished, I will have you hastily trans- 
ported to the hall of the old castle.” 

Now entered Lord de Bruce, Louis and Captain 
McNeil, followed by six of Hector’s stout men bear- 
ing on a litter a person whom they deposited on a 
cot in the centre of the great hall. This person was 
large and stout. Blood flowed copiously from several 
ghastly wounds. His face was not evil, but expressed 
a mixture of kindness and ferocity. 

The Doctor approached, with instrument and band- 
ages in readiness for the work which lay before him. 
°“Who have you here, Louis?” asked the Earl, who 
had anxiously met them as they emerged from the old 


504 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


corridor, and gave Hector a kindly handclasp, with 
a warm welcome. 

“It is the smuggler’s Captain ; all gashed and gored/’ 
returned Louis ; “commander of an armed vessel, 
without commission or letters de marque. He is wish- 
ing to have speech of Mrs. Macleod, who is his sister, 
your Lordship, and Lady de Bruce, also, having 
somewhat of a confession to make, he says. We came 
upon him with a band of smugglers in a dungeon, or 
perhaps a prison for eclesiastic offenders, under the 
ruins of the old church. And this young Captain Mc- 
Neil flew after them, sir, as a falcon upon a heron ; 
and the heavens and his fair handling have made him 
master of the field this day. We have fairly routed 
them, my Lord ; and at his own request bring you 
their Captain.” 

The Earl again pressed Hector’s hand, with much 
sadness depicted on his face, for his was such a gentle 
nature, and tender, that the idea of bloodshed or 
slaughter disturbed him greatly. Now he approached 
Donald Dhu, who he had sometimes seen with Gas- 
ton’s retinue, and said: 

“Donald Dhu, is it indeed yourself I see, and so 
badly wounded?” 

“Aye, aye, my Lord; I have met my fate, I have 
run my race ; but must see Mrs. Macleod.” 

The Doctor stood ready to serve him. Motioning 
him away, he said: 

“No, Doctor, you can do me no good now ; I am 
done for!” 

Mrs. Macleod, on hearing her own name and Don- 
ald’s voice, came hastily from Flora’s side, where she 
had been attending her, and dropped on her knees, 
crying : 

“Oh, Donald, has it come to this at last? I have 
feared it for so long ; oh, poor misguided one !” 

Kathryn and Flora now came to the door of Kath- 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


505 

ryn’s room, and Flora, taking in the scene, ran to her 
mother’s side, crying: 

“Oh, Uncle Donald, you, too, have been hurt? 

“Yes, little Flora; have received my death stroke. 
But before I go I must right a great wrong.” 

“Oh, you will not die — oh, Doctor, come and save 
him!” she cried in great distress. 

“He cannot live, Flora; his wounds are mortal. 
Not the least hope can be offered, child,” the Doctor 
returned softly. 

The Earl, seeing Flora almost swooning, supported 
her to a sofa near the door where Kathryn stood, and 
sat beside her; and, making room for Kathryn, she 
sat beside him also. All was now still as death. 

Donald Dhu began to speak to his sister, who was 
bowed down by his side: “Martha, I have wronged 
you and kept you deceived for years, and now my time 
on earth is short. I must at least make reparation for 
the wrong done you. You know I made you believe 
you killed your husband ; you did not do it ” 

“Oh,” she moaned, “this is some relief !” 

“No ; when you sprang on him to save your child 
— your little Flora — he dashed you off, and you fell 
fainting on the floor. I thought he had killed you, 
and picked up the poker and struck him across the 
back of the neck; he fell forward — dead — upon the 
child. Pulling him off, I found the life was crushed 
out of the poor little Flora — she, too, was dead ” 

“Flora, my Flora? No; she’s here!” exclaimed 
the terrified woman. 

“No, sister, I told you a falsehood then ; I am facing 
death now, I tell truth. I must correct the falsehood. 
My Lord,” he said to the Earl, “please have someone 
take down my statements; they are of importance to 
more than one. You have here, I see, witnesses 
enough. I wish to give you a true statement of a 
bad affair.” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


5o 6 

The Earl, who had his hands full enough with Kath- 
ryn and Flora, both at the point of swooning, asked : 

“Guy, will it be possible for you, in your crippled 
condition, to render me this service ?” 

“Aye, my Lord ; I still have my brave right arm 
for use. Fetch a stand, Louis, and materials.” 

“Put the statement, Guy, in a legal form ; such as 
will constitute it legal evidence,” said the Earl, as 
a small table was drawn up beside Mr. Brignol and 
he was furnished with pen, ink and paper. Donald 
continued : 

“Your Flora, sister, was crushed to death in the 
fall of her father.” 

Lady Hawren, who had left Edwin for a moment 
and stood in the door beside Kathryn and the Earl, 
now glided softly back to him, and, taking her seat 
beside him, took one of his hands in hers. They could 
distinctly see and hear all that was done in the hall. 
Mrs. Macleod, weeping, asked : 

“Who, then, is this — my Flora?” Flora lay almost 
unconscious in the Earl’s arms. Donald Dhu asked: 

“Is Lady de Bruce present?” 

“Yes, yes!” exclaimed that lady, springing up and 
going to him, for she had recognized in him the heavily 
armed man whom she had met on the beach on the 
day following the Fete Champetre. 

“You don’t know me, Lady, but I know you. I 
was with the wretch who stole your babe.” 

“Tell me; oh, tell me!” she cried. “Tell me ere 
it is too late what became of my little Marjorie.” 

“My Lord of Fleetwood, bring Flora hither,” re- 
quested Donald Dhu. 

The Earl rose, and, supporting Flora with his arm, 
led her up beside Lady de Bruce. 

“Lady de Bruce, this is your child,” said Donald. 

Lady de Bruce shrieked and threw her arms around 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 507 

Flora. At this, Mrs. Macleod fell back in a dead 
swoon. Mrs. O’Neal was instantly by her side. 

‘‘Louis, take her to her room, will you? This is too 
much for her,” said the Earl tenderly. “Ambrose, 
assist Louis. Dear aunt, you will attend her?” 

Louis and Ambrose placed Mrs. Macleod on her bed 
in an adjoining room. 

“Flora,” said Donald, “give Lady de Bruce the 
locket I gave you and asked you to keep about you 
alway.” 

With trembling fingers Flora unclasped and drew 
forth the locket and placed it in the trembling hands 
of Lady de Bruce, who cried out on receiving and 
opening it: 

“Yes, yes, my locket ; with a miniature of myself 
at her age; with my initials, M. M. — Majorie Mac- 
donald ! My Lord de Bruce, only come and see !” 

Lord de Bruce came, as one almost bereft of his 
senses, in such surprise was he. Looking at the locket, 
he cried: 

“Oh, my darling child,” as he folded Flora in his 
arms ; “I have felt such an indescribable love for you, 
and have so wished that you could be my daughter !” 

When Louis had carried Mrs. Macleod to her room, 
conducted by Mrs. O’Neal, Doctor Godkins had fol- 
lowed to administer to her comfort if she should need 
any medical attention or restorative. Louis and Am- 
brose, after depositing their burden, were not going 
to miss any of the interesting and important disclos- 
ure, so hastened back to the hall, leaving Mrs. Mac- 
leod, attended by Mrs. O’Neal and the Doctor, who 
had not been thrown together alone since the evening 
he had led her out from the dining-room. 

“Let’s get her into a better position, Mary. Will 
you kindly remove the pillow from under her head, 
while I raise her? There, now, that is better. And 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


508 

please, Mary,, just remove the brooch at her throat, 
that her respiration may not be retarded. ,, 

Mrs. O’Neal did as requested ; then, dipping a 
towel in an ewer of water, wiped the poor woman’s 
face gently and fanned her with a small fan. The 
Doctor felt in his pocket and drew forth a little 
pouncet, saying: 

“Here, Mary, use this; you will find it a very fine 
restorative.” 

“Doctor! Oh, Doctor, please, if you can, come to 
Edwin!” cried Kathryn at the door. 

“Well, well, dear; I will. She’ll do very well, now, 
Mary, in your care. I feel that I must see what has 
happened to Captain Arranton.” 

“Yes, yes, Geor — g — e.” She had not spoken his 
name before for years, and there was a little wail as 
she gasped it. It was so long since she had called 
him George. Her hand trembled visibly as she took 
the pouncet-box ; his hand also trembled. He glanced 
into her face, but her eyes were on the box of diffusive 
stimulus. As he left the room, he said to himself : 

“How excited all of us are over Lord and Lady de 
Bruce’s happiness and little Flora’s good fortune! I 
tremble yet, like an aspen ; and, ye Gods ! Mary trem- 
bled so that she could scarce take the box of smelling 
salts when I handed it to her.” He stopped in the hall 
long enough to administer a stimulant to Donald Dhu, 
who was sinking rapidly, and went on to Edwin, think- 
ing: 

“What can be the matter with Edwin? I left him 
in good shape and resting well.” Donald was still 
testifying : 

“I did not take your child, Lady de Bruce; it was 
Robert Macleod who took her. But I accompanied 
him, and met you, Lady, even while he was taking the 
little one. We escaped to shipboard.” 

“But why, oh why, did you and your partner wish 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


509 


to commit such a crime?” cried Lady de Bruce, cling- 
ing to Flora, who stood between her new-found par- 
ents, their arms around her. 

“It was not evil within me, but the want of the 
accursed money. We were smuggling, and had been 
chased for weeks by His Majesty’s ships, and were 
so near being captured we were forced to lighten our 
ship by throwing overboard all the cargo. Escaping 
them, we were forced to lie low for weeks. Reaching 
the Firth of Clyde, we felt secure, but needed money, 
and must have it. Robert thought there was a good 
opportunity to make a good haul straightway. He 
said he would take away the little child, then get the 
reward that would be offered. We knew Lord de 
Bruce was wealthy, and expected to make a big sweep. 
But after we had got the child, Macleod became ter- 
ribly frightened lest we should be caught, and deter- 
mined to go by Hawrenden and get his wife and child 
— my sister in there and her little Flora — and go to 
a place where we often stopped, in the West Indies. 
We went ashore at Hawrenden, leaving the infant in 
the ship, but Martha was determined not to go, for 
she had just discovered that we were smuggling, and 
outlaws to the country. Martha was always an honest, 
straightforward woman, and could not abide anything 
of the kind. In order to force her to go, Robert 
snatched the child, saying he would take it anyhow. 
She sprang upon him to get the child. As he shoved 
her off, she fainted, and f, thinking he had killed my 
sister, took up a rod of iron and laid him low. He 
fell on the child. I discovered that my sister was not 
dead, but in a swoon, but there was the dead man and 
child. Fearful of being discovered, I dragged them 
to the boat’s side. It was just growing dark, and 
the boat was standing there ready to bear my sister 
away to the vessel. I lashed the bodies together and 
weighted them heavily, and was soon on the sea. Half- 


5io ! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

way to the ship I rolled them into the waves. I went 
on board and took the little one we had left there and 
carried it to my sister, who I found in a fever and 
raving wild with delirium. Now the thought came to 
me that I could substitute the little one for her Flora, 
and she would never know the difference. I dressed 
the child in some of little Flora’s clothing, which I 
found readily enough, and both being fair, with blue 
eyes, the difference would scarce be noticed. I placed 
the sweet little Majorie on the bed with my sister, 
taking the locket from her neck and the last vestige 
of her clothing with me. I ran to Granny Murdock’s 
cabin, near, and told her that my sister was quite ill 
and she must go and take care of her ; then sped to my 
boat and put out to sea, and never again returned to 
the coast of Ayrshire. After a number of years I 
discovered my sister was living with Lady Margaret 
at Fleetwood, and managed to slip in to see her. I 
brought the locket with me, and, being afraid to keep 
it or to dispose of it for money, I gave it to little 
Flora, as she was now called, for my poor sister had 
never suspected that she was not her own little Flora. I 
bade her wear it, always concealed, for I feared being 
caught. I knew it was hers in right, and I felt that 
by it she might in some way be restored ; and when I 
met you, Lady de Bruce, day before yesterday, walk- 
ing in the grove, I resolved it should be so — that the 
weight of guilt should be removed from my soul in 
some way ; but little dreamed in what way it would 
be done. In my first visit to Fleetwood I fell in with 
Gaston — Lord Graeme — in whose employ I have been 
since.” 

Lord and Lady de Bruce, with Flora, hearing Mrs. 
Macleod’s voice, went to her. 

“Donald,” asked the Earl, “where is Gaston?” 

“My Lord, I cannot just say. I see that you have 
recovered the young lady who he was so determined 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


Sir 

on taking away; and sorry am I that I should have 
ever assisted him in his villainy. We came in just be- 
fore day to carry her to the vessel. He went in, leav- 
ing myself and two other stout men outside the door 
to help if he should want our assistance. When we 
discovered your Lordship and your men coming down 
the steps which we had every reason to believe you 
would never find, we fled, and were soon overtaken 
and outstripped by him. He was fleet of foot, and 
badly frightened. He had never before ventured in 
with us where there was danger. He was now in the 
lead. We dashed through a door in the farther side 
of the great vault, which we hurled shut after us. 
It was soon burst in, and we were closely followed, 
but we gained on them a little, for they found them- 
selves in a long tunnel, totally dark save for a faint 
light from the exit at the farther end, leading from 
the vault to the basement under the old church. At 
the exit there were two ways, one turning under the 
old church, the other but an orifice under a great 
rock that opened on the beach, where the boat had 
been left. I turned into the cavern under the old 
church to notify my men, who were there depositing 
a cargo, for we were making ready to be off. Gaston 
and the other two fled to the boat, hotly pursued by 
your men, my Lord, and I stopped long enough to 
observe through the bracken that the three turned and 
fired on your men just as they emerged from the tun- 
nel. This gave them time to gain their boats, which 
they did under a perfect hail of bullets, and I cannot 
say whether they were hurt, for I darted on. But 
I am sure, from the exclamations I heard, that some 
of your Lordship’s men were struck. 

“Tell me, truly, Donald, is he engaged in this law- 
less business?” 

“My Lord, he owns the brig of which I am Cap- 
tain. My men and I do the work; my Lord Gaston 


512 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


receives the money, but pays us well. He has long 
been engaged in this contraband trade with France. 
It is his money, my Lord, that has led me on from sin 
to sin.” 

“I have long feared that Gaston's business was not 
legitimate, but my own duties and interests have kept 
me away from home so much I have had no oppor- 
tunity of discovering what he was really doing. Poor, 
misguided boy ! He will doubtless be taken, and 
then ” The Earl groaned. 

Poor Edwin was so situated on a sofa in the centre 
of the drawing-room that he could see and hear all 
that was taking place in the great-hall. When Donald 
Dhu had asked for Lady de Bruce and Flora, he, with 
excruciating pain, raised himself on one elbow and 
listened attentively to all. He had seen Flora run to 
the man and heard her gentle voice calling him Uncle 
Donald, at which he became greatly agitated. His 
aunt, who sat by him and held his hand, noticing his 
emotion, fanned him more vigorously. And when the 
Earl assisted Flora to the side of Lady de Bruce he 
heard what was said, and saw the locket examined. 
His excitement became intense. Lady Hawren exerted 
herself to quiet him, but when Lord de Bruce took 
Flora in his arms and called her his darling child, 
he, with a deep groan, sank into a swoon. It was 
at this time Kathryn had run for the Doctor, who 
came immediately to him, while Donald Dhu went on 
with his story. With intense feelings, Edwin had 
taken in all that transpired. The distressful circum- 
stances surrounding him were, by this revelation, made 
even more difficult. He had given Flora all his young 
love, but had felt it impossible to offer his hand to 
her — of such humble parentage — while his was a lin- 
eage of purest artistocracy ; and even when he had re- 
solved to break over this impediment and offer her his 
hand, a vision of the smuggler had forced him to de- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


5i3 


sist. But, after his talk with the Earl that morning, 
he had made a decision, and was on the point of offer- 
ing her his hand and his noble name ; one minute more 
and she would now be his promised bride. But fate 
had snatched her from him ; they had been interrupted. 
He had not finished his sentence. She had not prom- 
ised. They were not affianced ; and now she is the 
daughter of one of the wealthiest nobles of Scotland — 
Lady Marjorie de Bruce. And what was he ? A young 
man with a pedigree and a Captain’s commission — 
nothing more. Now he could never ask her to become 
his bride. His pride had stood between him and hap- 
piness. “Now ’twas too late; too late!” his heart cried. 
His head swam ’round ; he was dazed ; he fell back 
insensible upon his aunt’s arm. After Edwin was 
once more restored to consciousness, Kathryn went 
and stood in the door of her room, looking upon Flora 
as she lay in the arms of her newly-found parents. 
Seeing a figure standing in the corridor leading from 
the ruins, she recognized Jenny. The poor girl stood 
weeping. Kathryn went across the hall to her and 
cried : 

“Oh, Jenny; it is your husband, is it not?” 

“Yes, my Lady; and he is killed! Oh, yes; he is 
killed!” 

“Oh, poor Jenny! He is not yet dead, but must 
die, the Doctor says.” And the sympathetic Kathryn 
put her arm around Jenny, who wept on her shoul- 
der. She then led her up to the side of Donald Dhu, 
where she sank to her knees sobbing. 

“Oh, poor Jenny-girl! What will become of you 
when Donald’s gone?” asked Donald anxiously. 

“Let not that thought distress you,” said the Earl. 
“I will see that your wife is cared for, Donald. She 
stood faithfully by Lady Hawren’s daughter in her 
hour of peril, and possibly has been the means of 
saving her to us altogether.” 


5 14 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“Oh, yes !” said Kathryn, gently, who stood by her. 
“She was my friend in time of great need ; I shall 
never forget her kindness.” 

“Jenny is a kind-hearted creature, there is no mis- 
take ; and, my Lord, I wish to make a full confession : 
Gaston — Lord Graeme — has greatly wronged you. I 
must not forget to explain away the infamy laid to 
your Lordship; and I, for his accursed money, bore 
false witness against you. My voice grows weaker. 
Bring Lady Hawren near that she may hear what I 
wish to say.” 

Flora now came from the room where Lord and 
Lady de Bruce, with Mrs. O’Neal, were trying to 
offer consolation to poor Mrs. Macleod. She flew 
into Kathryn’s arms. Then, seeing Lady Hawren rise 
from Edwin’s side to offer her congratulations, she 
ran to her. Lady Hawren received her in her arms 
and kissed her peach-bloom cheeks. 

“Oh, Lady Hawren! I have a father and another 
mother !” cried the happy child ; so unsophisticated, she 
never once thought of the honor or wealth and sta- 
tion heaped upon her. 

Just at that moment Lady Hawren, being called to 
the side of the dying man to hear that portion of his 
confession relating to the Earl, stood a moment ir- 
resolute, hesitating to leave Edwin. Flora, gently re- 
lieving her of the fan, said: 

“Allow me, Lady Hawren ; I will attend him in 
your absence.” 

And while Lady Hawren was being seated beside 
the Earl, Flora glided softly to Edwin’s side and, 
kneeling on a cushion beside his couch, placed her 
delicate hand upon his brow, and smoothing back the 
long, glossy ringlets, said : 

“Oh, Captain Arranton, have you heard what has 
been said? And do you know that I am Marjorie de 
Bruce, the long-lost daughter of Lord and Lady de 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 515 

Bruce? And now I have two good mothers, instead 
of one, and such a noble father !” Her little trembling 
hand soothed his brow and cheek caressingly, and as 
he choked up and found utterance impossible, she 
continued : “And, oh, I am so sorry you have been 
wounded!” And she looked inquiringly into his eyes. 
Then Edwin found his voice, and said : 

“Thank you, Dearest ; yes, I have heard it all, and 
must congratulate you on finding your parents.” 

“Oh, Edwin !” she said softly, a wild terror striking 
her heart from his manner, “and will you love me 
any the less for the change?” 

“Nothing, nothing can ever alter my feelings for 
you, dear Flora. My love for you is boundless as 
yonder ocean ; but, oh — o — o ” 

“What is it? Oh, Edwin, are you feeling worse? 
What is hurting you — your wound? Does it pain 
you ?” 

Edwin groaned inwardly, feeling that he could not 
mar her new-found happiness. He could not say what 
he felt ; that there was now a greater disparity than 
ever between their positions, which would utterly for- 
bid his offering her his hand. She fanned him gently 
and tried to soothe him, for she supposed he was suf- 
fering from his wound. 

The Earl and Lady Hawren were seated near the 
wounded outlaw. Doctor Godkins was restlessly pac- 
ing the floor, thinking, perhaps, how his hand and 
Mary’s had trembled when he had reached her the 
pouncet ; and wondering why she had not permitted 
him to look into the depths of her eyes. He was 
manifesting much interest in Mrs. Macleod’s condi- 
tion, surely, for each time he passed the door he 
would glance in to see Mary seated at the head of 
the bed waving gently the little bunch of feathers, 
her cheeks glowing with beauty, while Lord and Lady 
de Bruce sat beside Mrs. Macleod, offering all man- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


5i6 

ner of consolation; and he actually would have been 
glad had the poor woman swooned again, that he 
might have an excuse to go to her relief and once 
again assist Mary in attending her. 

Kathryn had stationed herself just inside her own 
room, that she might hear what was said ; the others 
were in groups, with Annie and Guy, and with Lord 
Phantom fell, who lay prostrate on a lounge near the 
front door of the great hall. 

“My Lord,” continued Donald Dhu, “Gaston has 
long been your worst enemy ; and when you left 
Fleetwood for Weirwolf he immediately set about put- 
ting your grandfather against you, that he might sup- 
plant you in his affections. And after you had started 
on your journey your grandfather walked out, as 
usual, at close of day to enjoy his evening walk. Gas- 
ton feigned an attack on him, wishing to make it ap- 
pear that you had returned to assassinate the noble old 
Earl. Gaston exchanged his clothing for some of yours 
you had left behind, and rushed upon him in the dusk 
of evening, with your own jeweled dagger; pounced 
upon him, throwing him down and cutting his clothing 
badly. When the Earl cried out for help, I, being 
stationed nearby, ran to his assistance ; and as the 
assassin fled I pursued him. Throwing off the old 
clothes. Gaston picked up his fowling-piece and ran 
to his grandfather’s assistance, apparently much ex- 
cited. We took the noble old gentleman up and car- 
ried him to his room. He was greatly agitated, and 
we had no trouble proving to him that Your Lord- 
ship had attempted to assassinate him before leaving 
the neighborhood. Gaston well knew that if you 
were ever admitted to his presence that you would 
have no trouble proving clear ; so he made His Lord- 
ship believe that if ever you had opportunity you 
would kill him. And I stood in with him, my Lord, 
to blacken your good name for the love of money. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


5i7 


The love of money has been my ruin.” Donald paused 
for a moment. The Earl was dazed, and in astonish- 
ment raised his eyes to Kathryn’s face as she stood 
inside her room, where she had heard all, her cheeks 
aglow with intense satisfaction. And while Doctor 
Godkins administered a cordial to the dying man, he 
rose and softly passed to where she stood, and, draw- 
ing her aside from the door, he clasped her in his 
arms and, kissing her cheeks fondly, asked : 

“Darling, how could you love such a monster as 
you were made to believe me?” 

“My Lord, I did never believe it ; and now I know 
’twas all false!” 

“Oh, darling, how I thank you for your confidence !” 
He reluctantly left her and returned to Donald Dhu. 

“My Lord,” asked Donald anxiously, “can you for- 
give me — a poor, misguided wretch — for taking part 
in all this wickedness against you ?” 

“Freely, Donald; freely! Poor man, you have been 
under the influence of a most wicked one !” 

“And your deadly foe, my Lord. Three times 
with his own hand he has attempted to take your life 
and rob you of your cousin. And last year, at the 
hunt you had at Esk, three men were kept there- 
about, to take your life, while the Italian and I were to 
ride away with the young lady to the Old Hermitage, 
where he was then staying. He usually kept himself 
away from dangerous places, but on the last day him- 
self it was who shot you in the shoulder, only a stum- 
ble of his horse saved your life. He has carried a 
remembrance, himself, of that day, in a great scar on 
his cheek, laid on by some heavy hand, and came near 
losing his life, too, by the same. He paid us hand- 
somely, and made many promises as to what he would 
do when he became Earl of Fleetwood. When I first 
came to him, all broken up and without means, he 
bought a ship and put me in charge of it, and we have 


SiB EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

run a successful business ever since. He won me to 
him at first by his kindness to me in need ; and when 
he revealed to me his nefarious schemes I was too 
deeply engrossed to back down ; and he promised so 
much. Now my race is run ; I have cheated the halter, 
and after making reparation for the wrong I have done 
by confessing all, I wish to die like a man. But for 
the love of money I could have been a decent man. 
I was easily led to do wrong. My sister is a good 
woman, and I have wronged her extorting money 
from her by making her believe she had killed her hus- 
band. My Lord, the only request I have to make is 
that you permit some of your men to take my body far 
out to sea and bury it beneath the waves, as I did 
Macleod and little Flora.” 

The Earl promised this should be done. And now 
Lord and Lady de Bruce assisted Mrs. Macleod to 
rise, and led her to her brother’s side, where she 
freely forgave him all, and took a last, long farewell 
of him. Lady Hawren and Kathryn returned to Ed- 
win and Flora, where they found Miss Augusta and 
Rosa with their new-found cousin. At the request of 
the Earl, Reverend Duward Hayston made his way 
to the side of the dying man, saying as he went : 

“If his soul is not past all aid, I will endeavor to 
offer him some consolation ; and happy is he if pre- 
pared to meet the summons.” 

About one hour after he was brought in, Donald 
Dhu breathed his last. His body was removed to a 
great vacant hall amid the ruins, to be prepared for 
sea burial. The mourners were Mrs. Macleod, Jenny 
and her grandmother, with whom she had lived in the 
fishers' village near, and the same who had acted as 
gypsy fortune-teller at the fete. And toward evening 
the body of Donald Dhu was deposited in the waves ; 
also the bodies of those slain in the melee. The 
wounded received good attention, and were made com- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


5*9 

fortable in the cavern under the ruins of the old 
church. 

It was about eight o’clock in the morning when Don- 
ald’s body was removed from the great-hall. The dif- 
ferent scenes brought before the reader were enacted 
with greater rapidity than they could be written, sev- 
eral simultaneously. There had been little or no sleep- 
ing during the night ; dinner, on the previous evening, 
had not been eaten ; nor had breakfast yet been served. 
As soon as those who felt disposed now partook of 
food, all retired to rest, save Lady Hawren, who for 
some time remained by Edwin’s side. Soon Edwin, 
rousing as from a troubled dream, said : 

“Oh, my dear aunt, this revelation has put an end 
to all my hopes of ever calling her my own V* 

“Why, Edwin, I supposed Are you not already 

affianced, in spite of all I have advised to the con- 
trary? Are you not an accepted lover?’’ 

“True, aunt, I have declared my love repeatedly, 
but never have offered her my hand. Not that I had 
not determined to do so, but each time, being over- 
come by her gentle loveliness, I would have asked her 
to be mine, the horrid vision of a villainous smuggler 
captain, sea robber, an outlaw, vulgar and coarse, 
would rise up before me and curdle the blood in my 
veins ; so much so, that I could not speak. And shall 
I now, that all this has been removed and she is dis- 
covered to be of blood as noble as my own, besides 
heiress to one of the noblest fortunes in Scotland ; may 
I, a poor boy with only a captain’s pay and a pedigree, 
throw myself at her feet and thus, taking advantage 
of her love, win her fortune also and subject myself 
to just criticism? The Earl knows — I told him in a 
talk we had this morning before daylight — that I 
could never wed one of such low parentage ” 

“Oh, Edwin!” 

“Yet, after my talk with him I had determined, in 


520 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


spite of your kindly admonitions, to forget all and ask 
her to become my wife ; and went to her with that in- 
tention, and had even begun the sentence that would 
have bound me to her — for she loves me and has given 
me every reason to believe that I would have been 
accepted — but we were interrupted just at that mo- 
ment, and I was hurried away, leaving it unsettled; 
and I am now miserable and undone.” 

“Oh, Edwin! And I am the innocent cause! Oh, 
the ignorant cause, I may say ; for ignorance is the 
cause of almost all the sorrows known to humanity! 
I am the cause of your distress and anguish. Now, 
oh, how I regret having interrupted or meddled in 
your love affair! But the way we understood the 
situation I felt it to be my duty — and ” She fal- 

tered, then broke down and wept. 

“No, no, dearest aunt; do not weep. It was your 
duty to warn me. I love you, and appreciate your 
solicitude for my welfare. I was, indeed, too rash. 
No young man should suffer himself to fall blindly in 
love with one of whose family he knows nothing. In 
my cool moments I know it would have been horrible 
for me to marry her had all been just as you believed it 
to be. Think, dearest aunt, of the weight that poor 
woman has carried on her heart all these years, be- 
lieving she had murdered her husband. How cruelly 
must she have suffered! Lady de Bruce has suf- 
fered ; the sorrow for the loss of her child is depicted 
in her sad face; and must I go free? Am I better 
than they — those noble-hearted women? No! I will 
bravely submit to my own sorrow. But, oh, poor 
Flora! If she loves as do I — must I bring bitterness 
to her in her new-found happiness?” And Edwin and 
Lady Hawren mingled their tears. 

The apartment which had been assigned Lord de 
Bruce was large and pleasant, with door and windows 
opening to the east on a fine old veranda, being one 


EARL OF. FLEETWOOD. 


521 


of the original rooms and first on the right of the 
entrance. This he kindly offered to give up to the 
wounded — Lord Phantomfell and Edwin — rather than 
have them taken upstairs to their respective apart- 
ments, saying he could easily share his wife's bed- 
room. Therefore, late in the evening Lord Phantom- 
fell was placed upon Lord de Bruce’s bed, and a sump- 
tuous couch was made comfortable for Edwin in the 
same large room, that they might be company for 
each other and where they could be more conveniently 
cared for. Edwin’s couch was placed near a fine win- 
dow, where he could look out on the moonlit scene. 
He was able, with great care, to move from place to 
place, but Lord Phantomfell was forced to refrain 
from all locomotion. And here, for two days more, 
they occupied nearly all the attention of the ladies, 
who hovered solicitously over them, anticipating every 
wish ; while Doctor Godkins, pacing from one to the 
other of his patients — not forgetting poor Andy, who 
was doing well enough — cheered all by his quaint say- 
ings and rich anecdotal traditions. Guy was almost 
overlooked, save by Annie, his wound giving so little 
trouble. 

4 * 4 * 

CHAPTER XLVII. 

LAST DAYS AT OLD CASTLE. 

“One glad hour can hold 
Enough of joy to brighten years of gloom/' 

Next morning the servants were hurrying about, 
making some preparation for departure from the 
old castle, where so much pleasure and much suf- 
fering had been experienced; for the Doctor had 
said his patients would be able in two days to be 
moved. 


522 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

Flora passed her time equally between Mrs. 
MacLeod and Lady de Bruce, who said: “I fear 
she will never regard me as her mother, having 
been blessed with such a good one.” 

Lord Phantomfell was saying to Miss Augusta, 
who kindly sat near, waving over him her dainty 
fan : 

“Poor wretch ! He is the vewy one that shot me, 
I much believe. I should ha’ died had I lost my 
leg; foah I could nevah go thwo this woold on one 
leg, Miss Augustah.” 

“Oh !” returned she, “you should be very thank- 
ful, my Lord, that you lost not both of them.” 
And she beamed kindly on him and fanned him 
with her little fan. Lady Hawren was busily car- 
ing for Edwin. 

And while most of the ladies had gathered around 
his patients, Doctor Godkins walked in the hall, 
where Annie sat with Guy. Now and then, in 
passing the drawing-room door, he would cast in 
a wistful glance. Annie approached and asked, as 
she glanced in and saw Lady Hawren giving her 
attention to Edwin : 

“Well, Doctor, what think you of the collected 
Lady Hawren? She would undoubtedly make a 
fine wife for a physician. She would, indeed, be 
a helpmate.” 

“Think you so, Miss Hamilton? She possibly 
would; she has good nerve, and his eyes again 
rested on some object in the drawing-room, for he 
had paused where he had a good view of this object. 
Then he said distinctly: “Now, there's Mary, would 
make a fine helpmate for a physician ; she has 
nerve !” Mrs. O’Neal sat alone with her embroidery, 
near a window in the farther end of the drawing- 
room, her soft hair arranged most becomingly, and 
she looked as pleasant as a May-morning, and 


: EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


523 


heard, as he intended she should, all he said. 

“How is it you call Mrs. O’Neal so familiarly by 
her name?” asked Annie. 

“Oh, we were boys and girls together!” 

“Ho! ho! ho! Boys and girls, were you? How 
many boys were you, Doctor?” 

“Oh, a whole team,” he returned, his eyes still 
fixed on Mrs. O’Neal. He had for days observed her 
every action and every expression of her face. 

“And pray, how many girls was she?” Annie 
asked, a little curiously. 

“Oh, a dozen; just a round dozen! — that is, she 
was worth that number of any others I ever saw.” 
How he studied her face as he spoke. Her eyes were 
fastened on her embroidery, her cheeks, from a deli- 
cate hue, became rosy, then red. A smile lurked 
about her rounded coral-red lips, fpr with one swift 
glance she perceived he was watching her. She bit 
her under lip to repress the smile, and now, the row 
of pearly teeth gleaming on the Vermillion lip, pre- 
sented a combination absolutely irresistible ; so thought 
the Doctor, as with a new light kindling his expres- 
sive eye, he offered Annie his arm, for a promenade 
promenade up and down the old corridar. 

They passed by where Guy lay gently dozing on 
his sofa. 

“Doctor, I do believe you are trying to diagnose 
a case,” she said archly, as they walked on. “You 
seem to be studying our friend.” 

“You are a close observer, Miss Hamilton. I ad- 
mit I have a case which I am studying intently ; and 
am about to arrive at a conclusion.” 

“And that is ?” 

“Ah ! Miss Hamilton ; as much as I esteem you, I 
shall never tell you that.” 

“Are the indications favorable?” 

“I must admit you to be an astute observer, and 


524 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


will promise you thus far, if results prove favorable, 
I will tell you; not otherwise.” 

“Then Doctor; I shall expect soon to become your 
confidante.” 

“Oh, do not feel too sure about it ; but now I must 
ask you to excuse me,” as he led her back, and gave 
her a seat near Guy, who was just opening his eyes. 
“I must make a visit to each of my patients, how- 
ever much I may desire to remain in your fascinat- 
ing company.” 

****** 

Miss Augusta, Rosa and Nora stand on the flag- 
stones of the old hall in the ruins, gazing out over 
the sea. The purpling sun is sinking down, his gol- 
den beams flash far over the adjacent hilltops, and 
over the inlet, where are a number of fairy-like 
boats. Annie is taking Guy for a last visit to the 
little fairy isle; Lord and Lady de Bruce, with 
Flora, follow in their wake. 

“Let us also take a boat for the little fairy isle 
for the last time,” cried Rosa, as she began to clam- 
ber down, among the rocks and vines, an almost 
precipitous descent, in order to avoid going the 
usual route, so far around to reach the beach, which 
lay gleaming beneath them. Nora started to follow, 
but Miss Augusta shrank back, saying: 

“I declare, girls ; I can never follow you two ven- 
tursome creatures; you will go just anywhere!” 

“Oh, come Gusta! I will row you over to the isle, 
as Lord Phantomfell is laid up, and cannot accom- 
pany you.” 

“As tho’ / cared for Lord Phantomfell !” ex- 
claimed Augusta, testily. Rosa returned to Au- 
gusta’s side, and said: 

“Come on! Take hold here, Nora; we’ll take her 
down ! And Rosa seizing her by one arm, and 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


5 2 5 


Nora by the other, they began to scramble thro’ 
the interlacing vines, and over loose stones from the 
old wall ; and Rosa took time to say: 

“Oh, but we know; don’t we, Nora? You were 
quite attentive to him all morning, sitting by his 
side and waving your fan ” 

Miss Augusta, highly indignant, wrenched herself 
from the grasp of the merry girls, who, on being 
thus suddenly relieved of her weight and unable to 
check the augmented momentum thus received, 
rushed madly on, soon reaching the shining sands 
below. Then hearing a crushing noise in their wake, 
on looking back, they saw Miss Braneaugh, who 
had, on withdrawing herself from their support, sat 
down rather heavily and unexpectedly; then losing 
her equilibrium, and being impelled by the im-petus 
of her own weight, now came rolling after them in 
a most undignified manner. Whereupon, two manly 
figures sprang forward to render her assistance. 

“Ah, acushla !” exclaimed the Major, turning to 
the girls, while placing Miss Bruneaugh upon her 
feet, “If ever I saw two young ladies run with 
such rapidity down a steep declivity ! I thought 
’twas angels coming from above. Sure, jewels, you 
are good runners, both ; but Miss Bruneaugh, it ap- 
pears, prefers a different mode of locomotion. 

The two girls, overcome with mirth, sat them 
upon a fallen tree, whence the two men had just 
arisen, while Major O’Connor and Captain McNeil 
gave Miss Bruneaugh an examination, to satisfy 
her there were no bones broken. 

“Oh, Major O’Connor, we were going for a last 
boat ride, to the little Fairy Isle, and thinking we 
would come the nearest way, came straight down 
from the ruins !” explained Nora. 

“Ah, Jewel, it brings roses to your cheeks, but 
you might have been the death of Miss Augusta.’’ 


feaB’ EARL OF, FLEETWOOD 

“X precipitous route you found it, I should say, 
Miss Rosa,” said Hector; “suppose you had fallen 
and rolled into the sea?” 

“We would have made a great splash; ha, ha, 
ha!” she returned; and her light laugh, like the sil- 
very dance of a cascade, floated softly over the sea. 
After assuring Miss Augusta there were no broken 
bones, they went on to the boat landing. Major 
O'Connor took Miss Augusta and Nora, and rowed 
away. An attendant brought forth Rosa’s light 
craft. 

As they step in, the light boat rocks on the deep- 
blue waves ; she lifts her oar, but no ! Hector, ere she 
is aware of his intention, takes the light thing from 
her hand, and dipping it into the waves, they scud 
away over the sea. 

“Why do you take my oar?” she asked. 

“It is my privilege, Miss Rosa, to do the rowing. 
It is not mete that you should do the rowing for 
me,” he said softly, but with so much firmness and 
authority that she yielded gracefully, as she would 
have done to no other with less firmness. They 
reached the little isle as evening blushed on wave 
and bower; and after an hour gloriously spent in 
rambling over this gorgeous vine-clad spot, when the 
sun had calmly set and the wild birds had hushed 
their song and gone to rest, they repaired, each 
by a lover’s side, to the old castle, where they were 
to spend the last evening in its charmingly romantic 
environments. 

****** 

“Duncan Gray came here to woo — 

Ha, ha! the wooing o’t! 

One blithe yule night when we were fou, 

Ha, ha! the wooing o’t! 

Maggie cost her head fu’ high, 

Looked asklent and unco skeigh — 

Ha, ha! the wooing o’t!’’ 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


527 


The moon, on this last night at the old castle, 
was a little late rising; but when at last the silver 
orb appeared, and began to flame thro’ the long 
shafted windows, Louis and Rosa walked adown 
the old corridor for a promenade amid the ruins. 
On and on, at length reaching the great old open 
hall, the witches’ stairway suggested to them a 
charming retreat. Here the roar of the ocean, 
from without, was heard; the flaming moon threw 
a flood of soft light over the ruinous turrets and 
battlements. He led her to the witches’ stairway, 
which, like “the Nelumbo bud that floats forever,” 
appears to be the cradle of Cupid, about which he 
still loves to lurk, and seated her amid the glory 
of the foliage, himself by her side ; for now he hov- 
ered about her ever, being led on and on, like the 
bee about the purple-stemmed flower of Trebizond, 
feeding on its blossoms, becomes each day more 
and more intoxicated, drinking in its honeyed dew — 
deliriously sweet — torturing him to madness. 

“Rosa,” he said, “his voice of velvet softness, “I 
want you to tell me something ” Without giv- 

ing him time to complete his sentence, she said: 

“I will, my friend ; I will tell you the story — or 
rather, will repeat to you some verses of irregular 
measure which I, in an imaginative mood have com- 
posed, on the Nereid of Colonsay ” 

“Yes, but I was going to ” 

“ Yet listen how this runs: 

" ‘From a coral cave a Nereid rose, 

Her long sea-green curls, with seaweed twine — . 

“Around her nose,” put in Louis. 

“Oh, no, indeed ! You interrupt— twine— twine— 
oh, yes: 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


528 

“ ‘Around her fair throat, and fall and mingle 
With coral and pearl; 

Oh, come with me — ’ ” 

“Let’s see — how is it?” 

“My beautiful girl,” suggested Louis. 
“No ! — ah ! 


“‘To the sighing sea, 

“‘To my lovely home, beneath the foam, 

Come home with me! 

In my grotto fine, where seaweeds twine, 

Thou shalt have thy home. 

Then come, love, come.’ ” 

“I am here,” he said softly. 

“Ha, ha, ha! 

“Til bear thee hence to my emerald cave, 

Come live with me beneath the wave; 

I’ll dive with thee away. — ’ ” 

“I’d never risk that! Now, Rosa, listen; you are 
robbing me of my most valuable moments here, the 
last evening in this charming old place. Come, lis- 
ten to me a while ; I have words of much import to 
communicate to your ear, alone ” 

“Oh, Master Louis ; first let me tell you : My uncle 
has given me a fine hunting dog, a most interesting, 
sagacious and serviceable creature ; his intelligence 

is great, his ears long and pendant ” Louis 

sighed, then said: 

“Oh, that your heart might beat responsive to my 
own ” 

“Ah! what was it you once said to me? Some- 
thing exceedingly pretty, about the heart of a night- 
ingale?” 

“I will repeat it, if you will believe it,” he returned. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


529 


“My heart is as true to you as is the heart of the night- 
ingale to its beloved rose. What is the richest spot, 
with every other flower, to the nightingale, if his dar- 
ling rose is not there ?” 

“Ah ! that is something more even than you erst- 
while said ; you improve with age,” she declared. 

“I mean it, every word, too!” Her face wa& radi- 
ant, yet she said carelessly: 

“I have a fine name for my dog.” 

“Oh, you wicked ” 

“I have named him for a hero.” 

“Allow me to suggest that you name him Hero.” 

“His name is Hector. I would rather name him 
for Hector, who was a hero, than for Hero, who 
was not a hero.” 

“You rather like Hector, anyway, I believe.” 

“Oh! Captain McNeil? Yes.” 

“Captain McNeil ‘will be thinking' you named 
your dog for him,” said Louis, mimicking Hector's 
brogue. 

“And I ‘will be telling' him that I did not. 
Though maybe I did.” 

“You are not sure that you did not?” he asked 
anxiously. 

“This is almost, but not altogether, a porch en- 
twined with sweet honeysuckle and jasmine,” she 
said eagerly, scanning the lovely vines and flowers 
surrounding her, climbing and twining about the 
witches' stairway. 

“I have asked your uncle’s consent to offer you 
my hand, which he freely gave ; now, I ask you to 
become my wife.” 

“You have gained my uncle’s consent!” 

“Yes, little sweetheart; he kindly permits me to 
offer you my heart and hand.” 

“And your love, Louis? Are you sure that you 
love me truly?” 


530 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


“How can you doubt it, little sweetheart; you 
must have known it for the longest time." 

“I am proud of your love, and of your kind offer," 
she said, her eyes beaming with satisfaction, “but 
Louis, how can you have the temerity to offer me 
— to ask me to become your wife ” 

“It is my love that makes me bold enough to face 
an army with banners; to face a lion in his den; 
love makes the weakest strong ” 

“You who have said : ‘I would as soon take to my 
bosom a wasp or bumble bee, as that little spitfire, 
the hoydenish Amazon, the wild, elfish witch * ” 

“There, there! little sweetheart; that — that was 
a joke." 

“Then I must say that hereafter "twere better not 
to crack a joke, than crack some puir boddie’s head, 
too/ ” 

“Have they — have people repeated to you every 
word that I, in my thoughtlessness, have inadvert- 
ently said of you — that — that " He paused in 

utter confusion, then continued : “And more perhaps 
than I ever thought of." 

“There's no doubt you said many unpleasant 
things of me which have been repeated ; I know 
not that I have heard all. You may have given utter- 
ance to other sentiments, and worse, maybe; I know 
not." 

“I have said naught else against you, little sweet- 
heart ; but have since said many, very many sweet 
things of you to compensate for that wild outburst. 
You were so different from all others; and I did 
not know that a lady of such hoydenish manners 
could possess so much charming refinement and 
such a lovely character as I have since discovered 
in you. You hold for me a charm beyond that I 
have ever felt for any quiet or timid one I have 
ever known " 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


53i 

“Why not say modest? You called me bold” she 
said, with flashing eye. 

“Oh, I may have meant it in the sense of cour- 
ageous, intrepid, contempt of danger — not a want 
of modesty — high-spirited ; the word has various 
meanings. Your graces I at first looked upon as 
objectionable have since won my admiration — my 
love.” 

“Say not love, Louis; you may have learned to 
tolerate my boldness and other objectionable fea- 
tures ; but do not say love, Louis.” She would lead 
him on and force him to admit he loved her, that 
her triumph might be the greater. 

“Little sweetheart, you will forgive the past, and 
let me love you to atone for my folly, for I assure 
you that since that time I have learned to love you 
most ” 

“‘Learned!’” she reiterated scornfully, “I want 
no man to learn to love me. I want the love of a 
man who, on first sight, is overwhelmed with the 
fierceness of his love irresistibly forced by a ten- 
der passion. I will not accept the love of a man 
who must learn to love me. His love must burst forth 
as a volcanic fire; he must be hurled into a resistless 
vortex, whence he cannot turn.” 

“Possibly you know such a one,” said Louis, ab- 
solutely nonplussed. 

“Indeed, then, I believe I do. I want no man two 
long years learning to love me, therefore, I must de- 
cline your love — I must decline your most generous 
ofifer to make me your wife, however much I may 
thank you for the kindness prompting you. I will 
never wed a man who must learn to love me. He 
must love me at first sight, because he cannot re- 
sist; not one who would make a sacrifice of him- 
self because he thinks he has inadvertently won my 


532 ! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

love.” She eyed him askance to see how he would 
take this. 

“Rosa, Rosa!” he cried in dismay. 

“A wild, uncontrollable love — an outburst of pure 
sentiment for me !” 

Louis thought she had never appeared to better 
advantage than in this moment of her premeditated 
triumph. He knew, now, why she had appeared 
to love him, and had given him so much encourage- 
ment. 

“Then, little sweetheart, you utterly reject me,” 
he said, with a look of wounded pride he could not 
conceal. 

“Utterly, Louis; forgive me for refusing the honor 
of your hand. Come ! ‘Exchange forgiveness with 
me, noble Hamlet !’ ” Wondering at her perfect sang 
froid he replied, a little testily: 

“Yes, I will forgive and quite forget you ” 

“I am willing to forgive your slanders, and remit 
your other offenses ” 

“ ‘Oh, that I were a child, to play with toys, 

Fix my whole soul upon a cup and ball’ ” 

he broke off, and walked to and fro. There was a 
prolonged, expressive silence. He sat down. 

“Rosa, you are variable as the winds that blow 
over the ocean. No longer than last evening I 
would have sworn from your sweet, caressing man- 
ner that you loved me; and now ” 

“It appears that young men of this day arrive at 
conclusions with the utmost promptness, without 
warrant for so doing. If a young lady but deigns 
to look upon one as a friend, or brother, he speedily 
comforts himself with' the belief that she loves him.” 

“What do you think of me, Rosa, anyway?” he 
asked, admiring the delicious naivete of manner that 
accompanied her remarks. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


533 

“I think, sir, that you are preposterously con- 
ceited ; yet I do love you as a friend.” 

“May we not, then, be friends?” 

“Louis, I am your friend.” 

“I will be your friend forever, Rosa. Will not 
you ever rely on me as such? And may I not still 
call you little sweetheart?” 

“You, who have called me so many things, may 
call me whatever you like !” she returned, her eyes 
fairly speaking the happiness welling up in her 
heart at the thought that he would not break off 
and leave her, but still would call her little sweet- 
heart, as before ; for she did not realize the exulta- 
tion she had anticipated in the supreme moment of 
her triumph. There was something tugging at her 
heart, and she sighed as she continued: “At least, 
until you shall find another whom you may call so.” 

Louis was unhappy; he knew not why, unless he 
really loved her more than he had thought. He 
knew now that for sweet revenge she had led him 
on to this termination. And she felt that in trying 
to win his love for pure revenge she was at the 
point of losing her own heart ; but resisted the sweet 
influence. She had made him own that he loved 
her; that was a comfort. She was triumphant, yet 
thought there was no reason why she should not 
marry Louis and be happy. He heaved a sigh on 
pressing her hand to his lips; yet his heart throbbed 
with relief, for he did not love her as he felt he 
could love, and, as she had said, had been a long 
time learning to love her thus much. 

“Hope is worth all the escaped spirits that I still 
have left me,” he said. And they rose and walked 
to the verge of the crumbling ruin. 

“How the little froggies do croak, and with what 
agility they hop into the pools below!” she said 
carelessly, while her heart throbbed tumultuously. 


534 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


And they returned to the drawing-room, under a 
bond of friendship. 


4 s 4 s 4 s 

CHAPTER XLVIII. 

REUNITED. — THE PARTING. 

“Oh, no — not even when first we loved 
Wert thou so dear as now thou art! 

Thy beauty then my senses moved, 

But now thy virtues bind my heart.” 

“Withdraw not yet those lips and fingers, 

Whose touch to mine is rapture’s spell. 

Life’s joys for us a moment lingers, 

And death seems in that word — farewell! 

The hour that bids us part and go, 

It sounds not yet; oh, no, no, no! 

“Time whilst I gaze upon thy sweetness 
Flies like a courser near the goal; 

To-morrow where shall be his fleetness, 

When thou are parted from my soul? 

Our hearts shall beat, our tears shall flow, 

But not together; oh, no, no, no!” 

Next morning, while all the ladies were busily 
engaged giving directions and having their belong- 
ings packed for the return home, Doctor Godkins 
stood in the hall, after having visited all his pa- 
tients, who protested they were quite able to make 
the trip. He stood meditating, when he caught a 
glimpse of Mrs. O'Neal, as she glided softly across 
the drawing-room and into the library. On the 
spur of the moment, he followed her. Drawing 
back the portiere, he saw her standing by the li- 
brary table, gathering up her embroidery, which she 
had left lying there overnight. On seeing him, she 
was so startled that the work dropped at her feet. 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


535 


“Oh, my timid one! So I have found you at last!" 
he cried, seizing her trembling hands, as she at- 
tempted to pass him and go outside. “And you 
would elude me, would you?" 

“Oh, George ; let me go !" she cried, all aglow. 

“What! let you go, Mary? No! I’ve been trying 
too long to get you." 

“Well — please let go my hands." 

“Come, now, Mary, you know how you loved me 
when a little girl at school — my little fair-haired 
girl — and you know, Mary, you have always loved 
me ” 

“Oh ! You — how can you talk so ?" 

“Oh ! I mean I have always loved you, my fair- 
haired, gentle Mary. Now have I got it right?" he 
asked, looking into her eyes. 

“No, no! There’s Miss Annie. You like her " 

“Like Miss Annie? I do: she’s fine, but fiery. 
She’s too spunky for me ; besides, Guy ’’ 

“Oh, do let me go!" 

“Never! You’ve got to look me in the eyes and 
tell me that you love me yet, Mary, as you did once 
long ago — don’t you know?" 

“Oh, please! I shall scream." 

“Well, now, scream," he said, drawing his arm 
around her slender waist and holding her fast; “now 
scream, and they will all come running to see what 
is the matter, and I’ll tell them that you’ve got me 
cornered up in here, making love to me. Now what 
do you think of that? Would not they be surprised? 
What would Lady Hawren say ; and my Lord, the 
Earl?" 

“Oh, — dear, dear!" 

“Oh, that’s it; that’s it, Mary! Talk love to me; 
call me dear." 

She buried her face in his bosom to hide her 
blushes. He pressed her to his heart, and said: 


536 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

“Now look up, my Mary, and tell me, do you love 
me yet?” 

“Oh, yes, yes!” 

“I knew it, darling; you could not conceal it. 
You were not artful enough to hide it.” 

But Lady Hawren, what of her?” she asked. 

“Oh, she’s sweet, a goddess of beauty, but she 
could never take the place of one whom I have loved 
so long, Mary.” 

“Yes, I know,” she said softly, looking up, and no 
longer struggling to release herself from his strong 
clasp. Their lips met in one fond caress, then he 
drew her to a window seat, and said : 

“I have been alone so long, Mary.” 

“Yes, yes, George; and I am to blame for all ” 

“No, no, darling; it was I — I can not let you go 
any more, Mary. Let us spend our days — the re- 
mainder of our days, side by side.” 

“Oh, yes ! and make reparation for the past.” He 
placed his arm about her and drew her close to 
his side, her head drooping on his shoulder, and he 
kissed her red lips. 

“One hour of such glorious life, Mary, is worth 
many years of such as have fallen to my lot. My 
love for teasing you, Mary, has robbed me of much 
happiness.” 

“Oh, you shall not bear all the blame, George — 
where did you go?” 

“To the Mediterranean with Sir George Rook’s 
squadron, and was stationed at Gibraltar, as surgeon, 
vainly wishing to meet death, while trying to save 
others, never expecting to see you again, Mary. I 
wished to die. Then made a journey into Asia, dis- 
guised as a pilgrim, and would have been glad to 
die in that wild country, returning here two years 
ago and something more; and although I have 
lived here since, in the most intimate relation with 


'EARL OF. FLEETWOOD, 


53 7 


the old Earl, as long as he lived, and Lord Clifton, 
never heard one word of you, supposing that if you 
lived you were another man’s wife. I never asked 
about you; came here expecting to spend my life 
in solitary bachelorhood ; but you will deliver me, 
Mary, from such a fate?” 

“Yes, oh, yes!” she said, her arms about his neck. 
“Had you known, George, would you not have come 
to Weirwolf to see me?” 

“Had I known all I do now, I should ; but I could 
not know that until I saw you, and not knowing, I 
should not have seen you.” 

“But chance at length has made amendment for 
her error ” 

“Oh, yes, my own ; one loving hour will compen- 
sate for many years of ” 

Someone suddenly withdrew the portiere, the 
Earl looked in, drew back, and was retiring, when 
the Doctor called: 

“Oh, come in, come in, my Lord ; there’s no one 
whom I so much wish to see! Come in and see a 
pair, the happiest of the happy!” 

They rose, now, and standing, received the Earl’s 
congratulations. 

“On my soul, Doctor, you are a lucky scamp !” 

“Lucky! that I am. Have been unlucky all my 
days; now luck has turned and I promise to be 
happy in the future.” 

“Darling aunt, you have captured the very best 
old doctor in the world. May bright-winged angels 
hoyer about you always, and may your union be 
crowned with the richest of blessings.” 

“With your permission, my Lord, we will wed 
soon, just as soon as the banns can be thrice an- 
nounced.” 

“Aye, in three weeks, then ; be it so,” and the Earl 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


538 

left them to themselves, to explain the past and 
plan for the future. 

Lord Phantomfell had departed. Miss Rachel, 
his sister, on hearing of the engagement with the 
smugglers, and that Lord Finley of Phantomfell had 
received a severe wound, had sent straightway for 
him a number of men, with a litter to fetch him 
home, where she herself might attend him. 

Now Edwin occupied the large room alone, and 
sat expectant, half reclining among the cushions of 
the sofa, where Lady Hawren had just left him. 
Flora entered timidly, with a feather fan in her 
hands, saying: 

“Captain, Lady Hawren requests me to sit here 
with you and fan you until her return — and — and — 
said you wished to speak with me. Every one is hur- 
rying to be ready to leave by one o’clock. Shall 
you be able to sit up and stand the short drive with 
comfort, think you?” she asked. He made room 
for her by his side, where his aunt had sat but a 
moment ago. 

“Flora, I can stand anything but to be separated 
from one whom I love so tenderly.” 

“Edwin— what?” 

“I must say farewell, Flora.” 

“I know that my parents go direct from this 
place to Carlisle, but surely you — Edwin — I may 
see you often there ere we sail for Paris in three 
weeks.” 

“Stern duty bids me leave you, Flora; but your 
sweet spirit will be with me, wander where I 
may. And you, my dearest, shall be my heart’s 
pure flame, guiding my steps aright and leading 
me on from success to success, from height to 
height, to fame and glory.” 

“But, Edwin; oh! why should you leave me? 


'EARL OF. FLEETWOOD 


539 


If you love me as you say — if you do indeed love 
me ” She faltered. 

“It is love for you, Flora, that bids me seek 
the paths of glory; to gain your praise; to win 
your warmest approval I must haste to the field 
of glory, where I may reap honor and fame. You, 
with your new-found parents, go to Carlisle — to 
Paris — Italy. I go from here, straight to Solway 
Moss ; will give up my commission as Captain 
of a small band of militia, and cast my lot with 
the English fleet for the Netherlands, where war 
still rages in great fury. I am offered a commis- 
sion and will take command of a company of 
regular soldiers. I cannot now ask you to be 
my wife, as much as I love you; for, Flora, fate 
has snatched you from me, and placed you upon a 
pinnacle so high that I may never be able to reach 
you. And, Dearest, I do admit to you, that my 
pride has intervened, when I might have asked 
you to become my bride — though madly I loved you 
— and withheld me, while I thought you to be the 
daughter of the Earl’s housekeeper, from asking 
your hand in marriage ; and though I did repeat- 
edly attempt it, I never did ask you to be my wife ; 
and shall I now, that your fortune is changed, thus 
take advantage of your love? No, Dearest, my man- 
hood will not permit me to do it; for, while I can 
boast of a noble lineage, I possess nothing else 
of which to boast but a noble manhood; and this 
I must sustain. Shall I, without other heritage, 
offer to wed with the heiress of the noble house de 
Bruce, and receive with her hand possession of 
her ample domain, an estate worth ten thousand 
pounds a year, which I learn Lord de Bruce has 
settled on you in your own name, Lady Marjorie 
de Bruce? And I, with no more than a Captain’s 
commission and a pedigree. Indeed, the disparity 


EARL OR FLEETWOOD 


540 

between us is greater now than erstwhile. I have 
been robber of you, sweet Marjorie. Even while I 
was speaking the words that would have bound 
me fast to you — with your assent — I was called 
t away, and you have been snatched from me, and 
r placed beyond my reach.” 

She raised her soft blue eyes to his, like violets 
in a dewy morn. 

“Dear Edwin, whatever may have happened me, 
I feel that you are my peer ; you are of noble birth, 
of irreproachable lineage, and my love for you is 
such that were you now proven to be of just such 
parentage as I was thought to be when you won 
my love I would not change; you would be just 
as dear to me. Then would I prove the depth of 
woman’s love. So wildly do I love you, Edwin, 
that the new home to which I go — a paradise now 
awaiting to receive me — will contain no joy for 
me if not shared with you. Must you go? Oh, 
must you leave me, Edwin?” She clasped her 
hands, while tears, like rain, ran down her classic 
face. She had spoken ardently, and now bowed 
her head and sobbed, with a feeling of shame at 
the passion she had displayed. 

“Now, choose thee, Edwin, betwixt wealth and 
honor,” he thought to himself, and for a moment 
he wavered ; bright hope dawned in his soul, then he 
said : “Oh, that I were by that dim lake, where my 
love might take its last farewell from this cruel world, 
where fate interevenes to rob me of all ; there to lie 
in death’s cold shadows ” 

“No, Edwin; no! You break my heart; speak 
not thus, sweet Edwin!” 

“Sweet darling, I must say farewell ; all now 
await us. God’s angels watch your footsteps while 
in some lone region of the earth I roam. And 
while thus I shall wander, far from thee, my Flora, 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


54i 


I shall sigh for thee, for the sweet fragrance of 
your breath upon my cheek, the fall of your sweet 
voice upon my ear, when we shall be far, far apart, 
whose every thoughts are one ; whose voices would 
utter the same wish. In vain, Dearest, shall I 
sigh for your fairy voice in sweetest song among 
the trees and flowers, and to see the heaven of 
those sweet eyes. Sweet Marjorie, remember that 
in sorrow and pain my unchanged heart will cling 
to thee. The wild waves will soon waft me hence 
to distant realms.” She sobbed and sighed. 

“Flora, 

“‘When thy sighs are soothing to my troubled heart, 
And thy teardrops are as pearls, 

Think, dearest one, what perfect bliss 
There would be in a smile — a kiss!’ 

“Then lift up your face and smile on me, and kiss 
farewell.” 

“Farewell.” Smiling through her tears. 

“Farewell.” He pressed her to his heart. 

They hear Lady Hawren in the hall, coming, 
speaking to Sandy: 

“We must be starting now. What hour is it, 
Sandy?” 

“Thae hour o’ one hae just clappit, me Leddy; 
we maun be going.” 

“Louis, will you assist Edwin to his chaise? Ah, 
here he is !” she said, as Edwin and Flora appeared 
in the doorway. Lady Hawren cast them a glance. 
Both appeared sad, but resigned. She knew at once 
that Edwin hadn’t yielded. After many loving 
farewells, Flora was placed in Lord de Bruce’s 
splendid coach, drawn by four fine grays which 
he that morning had ordered out from Carlisle, 
with her parents, her cousins, and Mrs. MacLeod, 


542 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


who, as Flora's foster-mother, was to live here- 
after with them, and dashed off in fine style, at- 
tended by a retinue of servants in glittering livery. 

Captain Arranton, looking very sad, took his 
chaise for Solway Moss ; while the Earl and Kath- 
ryn, Doctor Godkins and Mrs. O’Neal, Lady Haw- 
ren and Nora, entered the royal old coach and rolled 
away tp Fleetwood Castle. 

eg, eg, eg, 

CHAPTER XLIX. 

SHIPWRECK. 

“But the stately, wide-winged ship 
Lies wrecked on the unknown deep; 

Far under, dead in his coral bed, 

The lover lies asleep.” 

There was soon a double wedding at Fleetwood 
Castle ; for, within four weeks after the return from 
the old castle, Doctor Godkins and Mrs. O’Neal, 
Guy Brignol and Miss Hamilton were quietly mar- 
ried in the chapel at Fleetwood by Rev. Derward 
Hayston. 

Doctor Godkins and his bride took up their resi- 
dence at once at Hawdon Manor, Lord Hawdon’s 
country seat, where he had a fine practice, and 
where, as governor of the place, he looked so care- 
fully after his nephew’s interests that the old coun- 
try seat soon assumed a new aspect, Lord Hawdon 
having returned to London, where he spent most of 
his time with his sister, the Baroness of Brund- 
ridge. 

Guy and Annie set sail immediately for America, 
where, on meeting Lord Drysdale, who was pre- 
paring to sail for his home in England, Annie 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


543 


laughingly told him, merely wishing to tease him, 
that there was no use of his going to England, for 
Lady Hawren was so well beloved by all, and had 
so many admirers and suitors, that she would 
doubtless be married long before he could arrive 
on England’s shores. Which tiding greatly dis- 
comforted him, though Annie had meant no harm. 

Lord and Lady de Bruce, with their daughter, 
sailed immediately for Paris, where they would 
remain until after Christmas, intending to spend 
the remainder of the winter traveling in Italy. On 
their departure, the Misses Bruneaugh returned 
to Fleetwood, where they were to remain until 
after Kathryn’s marriage, which would be cele- 
brated on Christmas Day. 

One week after their return to Fleetwood from 
the old castle there had been a terrific storm at 
sea, which, as it was afterward discovered, had 
caused many shipwrecks. 

Now, about one month after this storm, and only 
a short time after the double wedding and de- 
parture of their friends, Lady Hawren and Kathryn 
sat about a cosy fire, for it was the last of October, 
with Nora, whom Kathryn claimed as a companion, 
since Flora was gone and Aunt Mary was married. 
Lady Hawren was called out to the servant’s hall. 
On her return to the sitting room, Kathryn ob- 
served a deadly pallor on her face. Springing for- 
ward, she cried : 

‘‘Oh, mother, mother! what has happened?” 

“Oh — Gaston — Petroneus !” 

“Mother! Has Gaston dared to come here?” 
asked Kathryn, with flashing eyes. 

“No, no, child! He is dead — dead, drowned — 
shipwrecked.” 

“Oh — o — o !” 

“Petroneus is below, poor boy ! his clothing soiled 


' 544 ’ 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


and worn. He has made his way here On foot to 
tell us of this. There was an equinoxial storm, 
you well remember, on the eighth of September, 
The brig — almost unmanned after the engagement 
with the militia in which Gaston had received 
a severe wound — the Captain dead, Petroneus says 
they could not manage the ship; it was swept 
against the rock-ribbed coast of Arran and wrecked. 
He says all on board were lost save himself and 
one other, who saved themselves by clinging to 
a spar, and were dashed ashore on the island. A 
number of bodies were washed ashore, among 
them they recognized Gaston and the ship’s 
mate.” 

“Oh, mother! Is it not dreadful to think that 
Gaston — poor boy — would live such a life, and die 
such a death,” said Kathryn, choking up, “and lost! 
lost ! — utterly lost ! — Oh, mother !” 

“As to this, we cannot say, darling. God is 
good, and is able to save to the uttermost. Who 
can say but that in the last moment, even in the 
tempestuous storm, while billows rolled high and 
lightnings flashed ; with the foaming sea surging 
around him, amid the swirling waves and the 
straggling foam of the briny deep, he may have 
lifted his eyes to One Who can save in the twinkling 
of an eye,” Kathryn sobbed on her mother’s bosom. 

The Earl and the young ladies and Louis had 
been out riding; now Nora, hearing them in the 
great hall, ran to meet them, and led the young 
ladies to their apartments, while the Earl entered 
the sitting room and found Lady Hawren and Kath- 
ryn lachrymose in each other’s arms. 

“Dear aunt, oh, what has troubled you ! What has 
happened?” he cried anxiously, as he drew near and 
placed his arms around them both. 

Lady Hawren told him all ; and begged of him to 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


545 

care for Petroneus, who, she feared, might be ar- 
rested for complicity in smuggling. 

The Earl promised to clothe him and give him 
employment at Weirwolf, assuring her that if he 
would remain quietly in that place there would be 
no danger of his being troubled. 

In a few days the Earl, with Louis and five- 
and-twenty attendants, set out for London, where 
his city residence was to be put in the best style 
for the reception of his bride by New Year’s Day, 
for they were to start directly after marriage to 
take up their abode in the old Weirwolf city house 
in Southampton Square. He arrived in London in 
ample time for the opening of the season, the first 
of November. 

4 * 4 * 

CHAPTER L. 

KNIGHTHOOD. 

“Knights, by their oaths, should right poor ladies* harms.” 

“Louis,” said the Earl, a few days after their ar- 
rival in London, “let all be in readiness promptly by 
twelve o’clock to-morrow, for we must arrive at 
court on time. I must be in the presence at one.” 

“Aye, aye, my Lord ; I will see to it that all things 
are in order, and that your Lordship’s retinue makes 
a splendid appearance.” 

“And let there be no display of weapons, Louis, 
more than is demanded for fashion’s sake. Our 
men are rather disposed to make a display of arms.” 

‘Aye, especially is it so with those wily Scots 
among your Lordship’s followers. Aye, I will see 
to it that they have no other arms but their poniards 


1 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


546 

and court swords ; for, I warrant you, my Lord, an' 
I see not to it, these bonny Scots will set forth for 
court, making a great show, a fine display, no doubt, 
each rejoicing in a full parade of heavy Scotch arms, 
such as all seem bent on carrying at all times and 
on all occasions, and your Lordship would see, de- 
pending from handsome double-laced belts, not only 
Highland dirks, but black-watch pistols, whingers 
and Jedwood axes; wearing jack-boots and Ban- 
nockburn spurs, and their Highland plaid fastened 
about their shoulder with a great brooch, as large 
as a platter, to say nothing of their ever-present 
spleuchens,” said Louis, manifesting some contempt. 

“They have their own fashions, Louis, to which 
they are firmly attached ; but are good and true men, 
and some are of the noblest families/ 

“Aye, my Lord ; and your Lordship’s relations and 
friends have flocked in, in great numbers, to wait 
upon your Lordship to court, and I dare say your 
retinue will bear down the rude followers of many 
a be-ruffled noble that I might mention.” 

“I care not for that, Louis ; but some among my 
men are hot-blooded and independent natures, of 
many dfifferent families, each holding himself bet- 
ter than the other, and by rivalry easily provoked 
into quarrrels. I trust there may be no imprudence, 
rioting or strife among them. I have, as you know, 
a great antipathy to bloodshed.” 

“Aye, aye, my Lord; rest assured I with my 
good marshal will see to all that. Your Lordship’s 
following shall be so splendid as to outshine and 
leave in darkness the retainers of all other nobles. 
And even these wild Highlanders, my Lord, shall be 
brought into subjection, will yield to present condi- 
tions and make as fine appearance as any.” 

“Louis, the King has promised to bestow some 
especial and deserved marks of grace to-morrow. It 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


54 7 


is not necessary for me to say to you, bear your- 
self well under the ordeal ; for I have no doubt you 
will conduct yourself with the greatest decorum ; 
and remember that modesty is a crowning virtue.” 

“Aye, aye, my Lord,” returned Louis, with a con- 
scious blush, assuming a grave and gracious dig- 
nity, “I am deeply indebted to your Lordship, and 
must acknowledge ” 

“Tut, tut, Louis! I have this day transferred to 
you the estate of Redmound, which has reverted to 
me, and you will be known as Knight of Red- 
mound.” 

“My Lord, your liberality is unbounded — I know 
not how to accept this bounteous ” 

“There, there, Louis ; I owe you yet more than 
this; your friendship and care all these years, your 
services rendered me, an orphan boy, are more than 
can ever be repaid.” 

“All — all these have long since been doubly re- 
paid, my Lord.” 

“Besides, Louis, I will hold nothing as mine that 
was ever his, who, though gone to his reward, was 
a disgrace to his name, though it be black as any in 
the land ; with whose demise the link is severed 
that held us connected with the malignants of the 
Old Hermitage. So, Louis, in order to be quit of 
all, I shuffle off onto you this bit of property.” 

“My Lord, I cannot speak my ” 

“There, Louis, I am glad to be able to bestow 
upon one so worthy this fine estate of Redmound.” 

On the following day, the noble Earl of Fleet- 
wpod passed on his way to the palace, followed by 
a long and splendidly equipped train of friends and 
retainers, the appearance of his cavalcade making 
a great showing, numerous and imposing. Arriv- 
ing at the same time with many others at the palace 


548 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


gates, they had only a short time to wait, for soon 
the bells tolled, the great gates were thrown open, 
and the nobles entered, attended by those privileged 
by rank. The Earl of Fleetwood, attended by a num- 
ber of distinguished friends and relations, passed on 
with the others to the crowded entrance, the ushers 
loudly calling, “Make room ! Make room !” Many 
eyes followed his noble, commanding figure, as with 
a warm greeting, a gentle smile or a kind word he 
wended his way into the lofty chambers of the royal 
palace, and his followers arranged themselves along 
one side of the splendid apartment. At the upper 
end of this long gallery the folding doors were 
thrown open, and near the royal throne, over- 
shadowed by a state canopy, the King stood, ready 
to receive the homage of his subjects. With many 
others, the noble Earl of Fleetwood moved forward, 
his sumptuous court dress most becoming to his 
handsome and commanding figure, embroidered 
with gold and pearls, his girdle and sword-scabbard 
of richest velvet, with buckles of gold. Over all, 
his long robe of state flowed gracefully from his 
shoulders. His charming countenance and courtly 
bearing so well matching his splendid appointments, 
it was easily seen that he was the finest specimen of 
manhood in the presence. 

The King was soon surrounded by a number of 
nobles and statesmen in robes of state in rich array, 
and received most graciously the nobles who 
thronged him ; but to none he showed more cordi- 
ality than to the Earl of Fleetwood ; for this noble- 
man stood in as great favor with His Majesty as had 
his grandfather, the Baron of Weirwolf, with Wil- 
liam III. 

Now, after some matters had been disposed of, 
others adjusted, and some bits of royal justice at- 
tended to, the King summoned the Earl of Fleet- 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


549 

wood to his side, who approached with ease and 
grace, and said: 

“My Lord Fleetwood, I bethink me of it, you 
have made suit in behalf of one of your faithful 
followers ere now, one whose good gifts and fidelity 
have been of much service to you. My Lord, say 
on which of your followers you would wish the 
honor of knighthood bestowed.” 

“Please, Your Majesty,” returned the Earl, stand- 
ing erect in his glorious beauty, “I would speak for 
Mr. Louis Kearney, my master of the horse and my 
friend ; a man of ancient name and unsullied lin- 
eage, the son of an old cavalier, who has rendered 
much service to his country; he is a necessary 
sharer of my confidences, and has rendered me in- 
dispensable assistance in Your Majesty's service; he 
is of gentle blood and has a pedigree.” 

“And shall receive from us, my Lord of Fleet- 
wood, due reward. Knowing that you and yours 
are devoted to us, we will gladly bestow on this, 
your faithful follower, who has been so long a time 
with you — in your service — the honor of chivalry, 
remembering his father, who, in his day, rendered 
much service to the King. The learned men of 
Heralds College shall grant him a coat-of-arms in 
accordance with his pedigree. And, insomuch, my 
Lord, as I have learned that you, from your bounte- 
ous liberality, have ceded to this young man now 
about to receive the acclade one of your noble es- 
tates, known as Redmound — ?” 

“True, Your Majesty.' 

“He shall be known as Knight of Redmound. Lend 
us your sword, my Lord Fleetwood; we wear no 
such useless appendage.” The Earl, on bended 
knee, presented his sword to His Majesty, who said: 

“Louis Kearney — and naming two others, who 


55 ° 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


also had been spoken for as candidates for the honor 
of knighthood — stand forth.” 

Louis, who was not far from the Earl, with the 
pthers, presented himself on bended knee before 
the King, who laid on the honor-bestowing blow, 
saying to each : 

“In the name of God and St. George, we dub 
thee Knight. Be faithful, be brave, and be you for- 
tunate.” Dismissing them, he said to Louis : 

“Rise, Sir Louis Kearney, Knight of Redmound.” 
They rose and made a deep obeisance to the sover- 
eign who had done so much for them by bestowing 
this especial mark of grace. Then came the buck- 
ling on of the spurs and other rites. When the au- 
dience terminated, the King said : 

“My Lord of Fleetwood, let us have your pres- 
ence at the privy council to be held presently. By 
the way, there will be matters of importance for 
debate ; you will attend us?” 

“With the greatest pleasure, Your Majesty.” 

“There is the business, too, in regard to the mat- 
ter in which I promised you assistance— ^the restora- 
tion of title and estates to one in whose behalf you 
have interested yourself so efficiently — I believe it 
is assured, my Lord.” The Earl pressed the King’s 
hand, saying: 

“I am deeply Your Majesty’s debtor ” 

“Not so, not so, my Lord!” broke in the King, 
“We will never refuse you a favor, besides, we owe 
justice to all, even from the greatest of our subjects 
down to the meanest. But, hold ; there is a little 
matter of confidence between ourselves — you re- 
member? We must directly have a tete-a-tete. And 
you promised that Lady Hawren and her daughter 
should be presented. Do not forget this again, my 
Lord.” 

“Your Majesty, since recent events have turned 


EARD OF FLEETWOOD 


SSI 

such a flattering light on my prospects, I shall be 
most happy to make a confidante of Your Grace, 
and receive your approval and congratulations ; and, 
furthermore, will take pleasure in presenting Lady 
Hawren and her daughter, Lady Kathryn Arran- 
ton, who, with Your Majesty’s approval, will be pre- 
sented on New Year’s Day, as the Countess of Fleet- 
wood,” said the Earl proudly. 

“Truly,” exclaimed the King, patting him on the 
shoulder, “that is grand ; grand, my Lord !” 

At the termination of this audience, the nobles 
and courtiers were invited to a splendid banquet in 
the hall of the palace. 

On leaving the hall of reception and reaching the 
courtyard, the newly-made knights were assailed 
on every hand, by heralds pursuivants and others, 
with a call for bounty, with the usual cry of “Lar- 
gess ! Largess !” The acolytes of chivalry respond- 
ed promptly with donations, which liberality was 
proudly received by those whose business it was to 
register their armorial bearings. Then Sir Louis 
was greeted with loud acclamations by the depend- 
ents of the Earl of Fleetwood: 

“Long life to a worthy Knight !” 

“Health and honor to Sir Louis Kearney, the 
honored Knight of Redmound !” 

“Honor, wealth, happiness!” Then as Louis drew 
up among them they began the cry, “Largess! Lar- 
gess !” 

Louis returned to Fleetwood, wearing a “high 
plume, that nodded o’er his head,” and the golden 
spurs of knighthood 

“For knightly jousts, and fierce encounters fit.” 


55 2 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


CHAPTER LI. 

WEDDING. 

“O will ye hear of mirthful bourd? 

Or will ye hear of courtesie? 

Or will ye hear how a gallant lord 
Was wedded to a gay ladye?” 

The Earl and Sir Louis have returned from Lon- 
don. Christmas again approaches at Fleetwood; 
and the hour is at hand for the celebration of the 
marriage rites between the noble Earl of Fleetwood 
and Kathryn Arranton, Lady of Hawren. 

The lovely creations of white satin, crepe, and 
finest point a I’aignille have been draped about her 
splendid form. Loving hands have clasped, with a 
crescent of sparkling gems, the misty veil, and ad- 
justed the wreath of orange blossoms upon the 
stately brow of the blushing bride. 

The noble Earl of Fleetwood, in the flush of his 
glorious manhood, in princely array, proudly leads 
her forth to the grand old chapel amid a wild burst 
of minstrelsy, joy-bells ringing and a confusing 
din of booming guns from the bulwark. Soon were 
spoken the ‘‘golden words, which made them forever 
one”; after which, he led his Countess to the chair 
of state, two steps from the floor and large enough 
for them both, surmounted by a canopy of crimson 
velvet, in which, immediately over their heads, 
richly embroidered in arabesque needlework and in- 
wrought with seed-pearls, were two coronets. Two 
silver lamps, diffusing a delicious odor, threw a 
soft, shimmering light over them, as his Lordship 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


553 


placed her among the soft cushions, his fascinating 
blue eyes beaming with happiness, her face gorge- 
ously radiant, while they received the good wishes 
of their many friends. 

On the following morning, in the courtyard 
crowded with splendid glass-quartered coaches and 
many another style of carriages, with liveried trap- 
pings of gilt and leather, and richly painted panels, 
postillions, outriders and a hundred attendants 
thronged around in hurried preparation for de- 
parture. 

The Countess of Fleetwood was taken from the 
arms of her loving mother and placed in the Earl's 
charmingly new and brilliant coupe, just then com- 
ing in vogue and which he had purchased for the 
occasion, having room inside for two, with driver's 
seat outside. 

How charming Lady Kathryn looked against the 
bright linings and soft cushions! The Earl enters 
and finds a place by her side. Sir Louis closed the 
heavy glass door. They were closely followed by 
a sumptuous coach-and-six bearing the arms of the 
Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland, with the Earl 
and Countess of Carlisle. Then followed a long 
line of gaily coaches filled with many of the noble 
Lords and Ladies who had attended the wedding. 
All these were followed by numerous attendants in 
liveries, all glittering and bright, making a grand 
parade. 

As they were whirled away from Fleetwood, the 
Earl, realizing that now Kathryn was really and 
truly his very own, placed his arm around her, and 
pressing her close to his side, said, softly: 

“Now you are, indeed, my own, ‘my wedded bride, 
by holiest vow.' In a few days we will be en- 
sconced in our own town house, where you will be 
mistress of my home. How happy am I !" 


554 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


She smiled up at him through her tears, for she 
was leaving her mother behind, who could not be 
persauded to leave Fleetwood yet. 

4 ? 

CHAPTER LII. 

A MOMENT OF EXCITEMENT AT FLEETWOOD. 

“Do not say that life is waning, 

Or that hope’s sweet day is set; 

While I’ve thee and love remaining 
Life is in the horizon yet. 

“Do not think those charms are flying, 

Tho’ thy roses fade and fall; 

Beauty hath a grace undying, 

Which in thee survives them all.” 

Two months have passed since the departure of 
the Earl and Countess. Lady Hawren, sad and 
lonely, is beginning to feel quite miserable. The 
hour of eve is drawing on, and in the ladies’ sitting 
room, or Lady Margaret’s boudoir, she sits thinking 
over the past. Many memories cluster about her. 
It was here that Kathryn and Flora had spent their 
mornings in study and the afternoons were made 
joyous with music. Here she had sat with her em- 
broidery, joining in the pleasant conversations and 
merry jests. She thought of Mrs. Edmonds; of 
her elegant refinement, and her delightful social 
qualities ; of Annie, kind, but, oh, thoughtlessly 
cruel ! Such a tease ! Both married and happy now. 

Miss Augusta and Rosa and Nora still remained 
at Fleetwood as company for Lady Hawren. On 
the day previous Miss Augusta had received a letter 
from Lady de Bruce, saying their party had just ar- 
rived in Carlisle, something earlier, too, than they 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


555 


had anticipated, and how gladly would she and 
Flora hasten to Fleetwood, but that Lord de Bruce 
had gone — with the coach-and-six — to Forest Lodge, 
their country seat in Dumfrieshire, near Sanquhar, 
and she knew not when he would return. So 
on this bright and lovely morning Lady Hawren 
had sent Julien with the coach and attendants to 
fetch them. Miss Augusta and Rosa, desiring to go 
also, accompanied him, and would return on the 
next day evening, leaving Nora for company with 
Lady Hawren. 

Julien and the young ladies had scarcely gone 
when Captain Arranton — unexpected — arrived from 
the village, three miles away, where Major O’Con- 
nor, with a detachment of dragoons, had just been 
stationed for a brief period, awaiting the sailing of 
a fleet for India, where they were to go to aid in 
quelling an insurrection, having found on arriving 
in the Netherlands that peace was made and that 
war was at an end. 

Accompanied by the jovial Major, and attended 
by Silas, his black body-servant, who still followed 
his master’s fortunes, Edwin had ridden over to see 
his aunt, expecting to spend the time intervening 
between this and the sailing of the vessel for India 
at Fleetwood. 

And thus he had come, not expecting to have 
the pleasure to see Flora, whom he supposed to be 
yet in Italy. And Flora would arrive on the mor- 
row, little dreaming of meeting her Edwin, whom 
she supposed to be in a foreign land. 

But there was yet in store for Lady Hawren, on 
this day, a surprise of vastly more importance to 
her happiness than either of these visits, as much 
as she appreciated them, for she knew not of another 
visitor hastily and anxiously approaching on the 
highway toward Fleetwood Castle. 


556 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


But, as we have said, evening was drawing on, and 
she sat sadly ruminating over the past. Edwin, 
who had been with her all day, glad of a little respite 
from the constraint of his office, was out now, ram- 
bling over the old place. With a heavy sigh, which 
was almost a sob, she walked up the great hall. 
Wondering where Nora was, she lifted the portiere, 
and found her sleeping on the library sofa, a book 
which she had been reading lay on her breast. After 
a pleasant talk, a romp and a lively quarrel — all 
in fun — with the Major, that morning, he had gone 
back to the village, leaving her all flustered and 
happy, she knew not why. Lady Hawren, turning 
toward the stairway, passed old Sandy, who, in 
order to occupy his time, was changing things about. 
Taking down an old hat, which had not been worn 
for many days, he carefully dusted it, then gently 
placed it on another rack. Removing from a con- 
sole shelf a unique jar, he dusted it, then placed it 
upon another shelf ; and thus, for employment, he 
spent his time, the while talking to himself in an 
undertone. 

“Are you alone, Sandy? I think I heard you speak 
to someone. Where did Captain Arranton go?” 

“Aye, thae fine Captain, Meleddy? ’E took ’is 
foil, Meleddy, hi think ’e ca’ed it, and went out 
lang syne, I think me ’e gaed oot ta play fighting wi’ 
yon auld earl thae ca’ thae Count, Meleddy.” 

“Oh ! Has gone out to practise fencing with the 
old French gardener. I am going to walk in the old 
picture gallery a while, Sandy. If he comes in and 
asks for me, you will know where to find me.” 

“Weil, weil, Meleddy! A wi’nna forget it.” 

Lady Hawren passed slowly up the long flight of 
steps and down a long corridor. How lonely she 
felt as she passed Kathryn’s door and Annie’s, just 
opposite, then Flora’s room, too, untenanted, so 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


557 


dreary! She hastened by, and turning to the right, 
found herself in the long picture-gallery, where 
hung the Cliftons, ancestors of the Earl for many 
generations. And soon, too, the Earl would have 
paintings of himself and Kathryn, her Kathryn, 
made and placed here. “The noble Earl, the last 
of the Cliftons ” she mused. 

“How splendid he is! How noble! Kathryn has 
done well ; but — I am alone ” 

She went to a window looking out on the park. 
Her thoughts grew more intense; and pondering 
over the past, she became oblivious to all around 
her, and bowing her head against the casement, she 
sobbed and sighed : “Alone, alone ! My heart is all 
alone !” 

What had Annie meant in a letter she had writ- 
ten immediately on reaching America, and which 
Lady Hawren had received only this morning, it 
having been delayed in some way : “It is said he is 
to marry his cousin, and sail immediately for his 
home in England ” 

Her heart seemed turned to stone, as she mused 
over this sentence. Hearing a footfall, she hastily 
dried her eyes, and turning, beheld Sandy slowly 
wending his way down the long gallery. Approach- 
ing, he bowed low, and said : 

“Aweel Meleddy, some ane has ca’ed, and wad be 
pleased ta see ye i’thae drawing-room, een noo ; ae 
friend, Meleddy, ’s a ’e said.” 

“Oh !” said Lady Hawren, “can Julien have re- 
turned with Lady de Bruce?” 

“Nae, nae, Meleddy; it’s nae Leddy de Bruce, 
neither, but some o’ thae traveling nobeelity, wi' 
gapping flunkies a’ clad like sae mony, showmen.” 

“What name, Sandy?” 

“Oh, aye ; ’a said — ’s — let’s see ” Sandy 

placed his hand on his brow, trying to recall the 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


'55S 

name that had been given him. “His lairdship — Me- 
laird — Laird Stale — de Stale hi think, Meleddy.” 

“Oh! Stale? Stale? A stranger! Then I must 
hasten to meet him. I did not think that Julien 
and the girls would return before to-morrow morn- 
ing with Lady de Bruce and Flora. Who can this 
be? Some nobleman passing who knows the Earl, 
doubtless, perhaps from London ; and he may have 
a message from the Earl and Kathryn. I must 
freshen up a little. ” 

She fled up the corridor to consult her cheval 
glass before presenting herself before a stranger. 
She smoothed her hair, wondering where Hortense 
was, yet did not ring for her. She was always 
lovely, but this evening, perhaps on account of her 
recent emotion, there was a roseate glow upon her 
cheeks as she descended the stairway. 

Sandy was absentminded, and forgetting the new 
arrival, he turned him about and began to scrutinize 
some of the old paintings, for it was a long time 
since he had hobbled up that long flight of steps 
before. 

While Lady Hawren, in the gallery, had been 
looking among the old paintings, engaged in remi- 
niscences, a splendid chaise-and-four drew up in the 
courtyard near the warden’s tower, and Lord Drys- 
dale descended. The warden, seeing no attendants 
in the court, conducted His Lordship to the great 
entrance, and leaving him with Sandy, returned to 
his Lordship’s chaise and attendants. 

Sandy met Lord Drysdale, and from his elegant 
appearance and the splendid chaise-and-four of 
which he caught a glimpse with the glittering 
retinue at once pronounced him some great noble, 
bobbed and bowed, and with many obeisances con- 
ducted him into the drawing-room. 


: EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


559 

Meeting no one, His Lordship asked: “Is the Earl 
at home?” 

“Nae, nae, Melaird; ’e ’as gaed ta Lonnon towne 
wi’ ’is leddye.” 

“The lady — is Lady Hawren — may I see Lady 
Hawren?” he asked, with a quavering voice. 

“Oh ! aye, aye, Melaird, Meleddie gaed ta walk 
abune thae ha’. Hae a seat; Ise warrant you, ’e 
sail sune find her for your Lairdship.” And Sandy 
started full tilt, without knowing who he was to 
announce. 

“Hold, uncle — my man — hold a moment! Tell 
Lady Hawren an old friend wishes to see her — Lord 
Drysdale.” 

‘Aye, aye, Melaird ; I’s warrant to sune fetch Her 
Ladyship ; God sain her, she’s sae lone noo, syne Me- 
laird takit awa her bairn, puir leddie !” And with- 
out asking Sir Hugh to lay off his great-coat, Sandy 
trotted off. 

Lord Drysdale, walking the floor, awaited her 
coming with much trepidation ; for the little remark 
Annie had jestingly made on meeting him had rankled 
in his bosom, causing him the loss of many hours’ 
sleep ; and he felt now to find her promised or mar- 
ried to one of those suitors whom Annie had mep- 
tioned would be more than he could endure after 
awaiting all these years. But Mr. Barry had, just 
on the eve of his departure from America, com- 
mitted to his care some documents and letters for 
Edwin, which he had promised most faithfully to 
deliver, either to Edwin himself, or place in the 
hands of Lady Hawren ; and if — oh, if he should 
find her already married — and he groaned — it would 
be a purely business trip. He had wrought himself 
into a perfect ague of distress, when he heard the 
rustling of brocade descending the stairs; then on 
the hardwood floor of the great hall a gentle tap- 


g6o EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

ping of little heels approaching — nearer, nearer. He 
stood in the centre of the lofty apartment with bated 
breath, awaiting — he knew not what. 

She came intrepidly on, thinking to meet some 
old friend of the Earl, probably on his way home 
from Parliament. She entered; their eyes met; he 
noted a look of joyous recognition. She uttered 
a little shriek, and on the impulse of the moment 
they both rushed forward, as if impelled by some 
hidden hand; there was such a sudden transition 
in her heart, from utter dejection to unutterable 
joy. He received her in his arms. In a moment 
she was overwhelmed with mortification ; she had 
revealed her feelings for him, and was not he mar- 
ried to another, perhaps? Now what should she 
do? She felt that she was swooning; but he was 
kissing her face so tenderly, and asking: 

“Oh, have you kept your promise?” 

“Yes, oh, yes!” she returned falteringly ; but — but 
• — you — you ” struggling to free herself. 

“I? — love you — love you so!” he said, kissing her 
lips and holding her in his clasp. 

“But I — I thought — Annie wrote that — that ” 

“Annie? Oh , that mischief-loving girl has 

made me miserable!” 

“She said that you were to marry your cou- 
sin ” 

“Never, never! She told me of a number of suit- 
ors, saying you would marry Doctor Somebody, or 
Lord Somebody else ; and that you would doubtless 
be wed ere I could arrive.” 

“Ah, cruel, cruel Annie!” 

“Then you are not going to wed with any of 
them, and will be my own wife?” 

“Oh, no, no, no ! Yes, yes ! 1 mea ” He cov- 

ered her mouth with kisses, her arms found their 
way around his neck and her lips responded to his 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 561 

own. He then placed her on a chair and stood be- 
fore her. 

Meanwhile a great commotion had been excited 
outside, for when Lady Hawren, on entering, had 
recognized his Lordship with a little shriek, Nora, 
who in the library had been dreaming of smugglers, 
started up, and on rushing through the portieres, be- 
held a man in a long, peculiar-looking great-coat, 
holding Lady Hawren in his arms and she strug- 
gling for freedom. The scene at the old castle imme- 
diately occurred to her mind ; and thinking of noth- 
ing else, the startled girl rushed into the great hall 
crying: 

“Pirates ! Smugglers !” Running against Hortense, 
who was just entering from the back court, she told 
her that a horrid-looking smuggler was carrying 
away Lady Hawren. “Run and tell the men, Hor- 
tense r 

“Oh, ma foi! Mon Dieu ! Ze pirate is carry avay 
miladi, zhust as ’e did ma petite at the old castle! 
Oh, Ciel ! Mon Dieu ! Mon Dieu ! Helas ! me, me, 
what may I do? I vill run for ze Count and ze Cap- 
taine.” And down the garden path she flew, cry- 
ing: 

“Pirates! Robbers! Murder!” Nora following 
close behind her, rallying all the servants as she 
went. 

Now a troupe came up the great hall, headed by 
Captain Arranton and the Count, foils in hand, 
ready for combat. On seeing a man standing be- 
fore Lady Hawren, his back toward the door, Ed- 
win exclaimed: 

“How now, thou villain! Why this intrusion? 
Speak, wretched man, ere I run you through with 

my ” Drawing back his foil ready for a thrust, 

doubtless, in his wild excitement, thinking he 
wielded his Andrea Ferara, and held it poised for a 


'562 feARL OF FLEETWOOD 

direct blow. Lord Drysdale turned. Edwin, recog- 
nizing their old friend, cried as he clasped his 
hand : 

“Why, bless my soul! My dear Lord Drysdale! 
How glad — I have been nearly frightened out of my 
life !” 

“Why, how was that?” 

“What! Edwin! What means this confusion?” 
cried Lady Hawren, in dismay at the disturbed and 
disorderly appearance of her household. 

“Why,” returned Edwin, almost out of breath and 
with a crestfallen air, “I was taking some fencing 
exercises with the gardener, here, who, I assure you, 
sir, holds a good hand, knows the points of attack, 
and would prove himself no mean foe in an en- 
counter, when my Lady’s maid came running, out of 
breath, screaming ‘Pirates! Robbers! Murder!’ fol- 
lowed by Miss Nora here ” He looked about, 

but saw Nora nowhere. “On inquiring the cause of 
her excitement, she informed me there was a hor- 
rid-looking pirate, who had suddenly entered and 
was carrying away her noble mistress.” 

Lord Drysdale, shaking with laughter, said: 

“Put up your foil, young man. I fancy in an 
encounter with any one determined on carrying 
away your aunt, it would not prove a formidable 
weapon.” 

Lady Hawren, her face crimson with excitement, 
went into the hall and dismissed the servants, say- 
ing to them that she was in no immediate danger 
of being transported. 

“Peste! Marbleu! How mon Captaine did run! 
No pirate! No smugglare! Pasques-dieu !” cried 
the Count, as he disappeared in the back court. 

To Jenny, who had been employed as house- 
keeper, since the denouement at the old castle, she 
said : 


'EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


563 

“Jenny, see that we have an extra nice dinner for 
four only in the small dining parlor. We have to 
entertain a noble guest.” 

Edwin, blushing deeply, put away his foil, and 
assisting Lord Drysdale off with his great-coat, con- 
ducted him to a dressing room to prepare for din- 
ner ; then went back into the garden, where he had 
an appointment to meet Major O’Connor for a pri- 
vate talk. He had now spent so much time with 
Lord Drysdale that he feared the Major would be 
out of patience waiting for him, if he had arrived 
at the rendezvous. 




CHAPTER LIII. 


NORA AND MAJOR O'CONNOR. 

“ — Thou sweetest thing 
That e’er did fix its lightly fibred spray 
To the rude rock; ah! wouldst thou cling to me, 
Rough and storm-worn I am; yet, loving me as 
Thou truly dost, I will love thee again 
With true and honest heart, though 
To be the mate of such sweet gentleness 

— all unmete.” 

On reaching the back part of the garden, and 
sending Captain Arranton and the Count to Lady 
Hawren’s rescue, Nora, almost overcome with fear 
and excitement, being unable to follow, sank in a 
little heap on a bed of early primroses, and buried 
her face in her hands, her red-gold hair, all di- 
sheveled, falling in ringlets over them, and burst 
into a flood of tears at the thought of Lady Hawren 
being abducted as Lady Kathryn had been at the 
old castle, never once thinking how impossible it 
would be for pirates to make their way into the 


564 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


castle at Fleetwood. She had been so excited that 
she did not stop to consider that such an attempt 
here would prove altogether unsuccessful. She 
loved Lady Hawren dearly, and was sobbing con- 
vulsively when, hearing the gate behind her click, 
she raised her head just as Major O’Connor ' en- 
tered. He sprang to her side, crying: 

“Oh, Nora — jewel! What can cause you to weep 
thus?” 

Dashing back her hair with both hands, she rose 
quickly, and clasping him by the arm, she cried : 

“Oh, Major, I am so glad to see you — you can 
rescue her — I know!” 

“Ah, jewel ! I appreciate your warm welcome ; but, 
pray, of whom do you speak?” he asked, taking both 
of her hands and looking into her face with undis- 
guised admiration. Nora blushed in confusion. 
Her eyes sought the ground, as she replied : 

“Oh, dear Lady Hawren has been abducted, 
Major. I think — I do not know — I was so fright- 
ened — a man rufehed in, one of the pirates or robbers 
or — or — something ” 

“How you surprise me, darling! A pirate or 
robber here in Fleetwood Castle?” 

“Yes, yes! I was asleep in the library, and heard 
Lady Hawren scream ; and looking in, I saw a 
strange-looking man, wearing a great-coat and 
heavy beard; he had her — oh, run to her assistance 
< — to help Captain Edwin and the Count, who have 
gone on. Let’s run!” Taking hands, like two chil- 
dren, they started swiftly up the garden path, but 
had not proceeded far when they met Kitty Kyte, 
Nora’s own maid, flying toward them. 

“What is it, Kitty? Has the villain carried her 
off, indeed?” cried Nora and the Major in a breath. 

“No, no, not at all, Mistress Nora; ’tis no villain 
neither; but a gentleman quite; Lady Hawren’s own 


EARL OF FLEETWOOt) 


565 

friend, and just come to visit her, and nothing more. 
And is just awfully nice, too, and Captain Arranton 
ran and shook hands and called him ‘My Lord.’ ” 

“Well, Kitty, you can run back, now,” said the 
Major, “since Lady Hawren is in no danger, and 
tell Captain Arranton that I will await him in the 
back of the garden — but, Kitty!” he called, as the 
maid had turned hurriedly to run back, “do not 
trouble him while he is engaged with Lady Haw- 
ren’s friend. I will wait here for him, and you 
Kitty, need not come back. I will take care of 
your mistress.” Kitty flew back. 

He led Nora down another path, the dry leaves 
rustling musically under their feet, as they walked 
among the thick shrubbery, now brown and sear. 

“Nora,” he said, “I had a double purpose in re- 
turning here this evening ” 

“Oh, Major, you came to see the Captain — you 
had an appointment to meet him here?” 

“Yes, I intended to have a talk with him, but 
was not going to leave without seeking an inter- 
view with you, also ; but now that I have met you 
here instead of him, I will speak with you first.” 

“Oh, Major! Are you going to leave — are you 
ordered away again so soon?” she cried with mis- 
givings. 

“Ah, jewel! Should you care much if it were so? 
There's talk of war now.” 

“Oh !” Her face crimsoned, her hands trembled pn 
his arm. “Oh, Major, you shall not go!” 

“If I thought — Nora — if I knew ” he said, 

placing his hand on hers. 

“What? Oh, what! You shall never go away to 
another miserable old war — oh, you will go away 
and be slain, as was my father, whom you knew, 
and you know Aunt Mary, and it seems that you 
are one of us — that you are — oh! all that — that is 


566 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


left, since Aunt Mary is married and Rorey is away 
all the time.” 

“Nora, a soldier's duty is to fight. In the army 
I am surrounded by those who love me. If I should 
fall, I die for my country ” 

She dropped her head on his arm, with a burst 
of tears; placing his arm around her, he said: 

“Oh, jewel! I did not mean to distress you so, 
surely you do care for Charlie ; you would not have 
him go?” 

“No, no !” she sobbed, “I would have you remain 
here always.” 

“But should I give up my commission and set out 
on a new life, I should miss those who love me in 
the army — my comrades — here I have no home, no 
• — no wife — no one to love me. I should miss my 
old soldier friends. I could never live thus, with 
no one to love me.” 

“Oh-oo !” she sobbed. 

“Nora, there is just one thing can cause me to re- 
tire to private life.” 

“Oh, what?” 

“Just the love of a sweet little woman,” he said, 
pressing her hand warmly. 

Raising her sparkling eyes to his, she asked: 

“What woman? Oh, surely she would love you; 
how could she help it?” 

“I fear she loves another.” 

“Another! She could not !” 

“Jewel, could you love a rough old soldier, so 
much older than yourself?” 

“I? Oh! — and would you stay? Would you give 
up your dear old comrades, and your old life for 
just me?” 

“Just you, darling, if you love me!” 

“Major! I have not heard you say, yet, that you 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 567 

love me. Should I be loving a man who does not 
love me at all?” 

“There, now, darling ! I do love you with all my 
heart, and want you to be my own little wife.” 

“Better than those old boys in the army?” she 
asked. 

“Yes, my darling, better than all!” 

Giving him a glorious look that confirmed his 
hopes, she continued to question him : 

“And would you never, never go away to war 
again, and leave me — and be slain?” 

“Never, darling, never! for I should then have 
something to stay for. Now tell me, darling, do 
you — will you ” 

“I do— I will ” 

He smothered her with kisses, then asked: 

“Better than all — all besides?” 

“Yes, better than every one else on earth besides.” 

“Oh, jewel! you ” She was almost smothered 

again. “I was afraid to ask you, Nora, jewel.” 

“Oh, why?” 

“I feared that you loved ” 

“Who?” 

“Rorey.” 

“Rorey? Oh, he’s like a dear little brother, that 
is all.” She was threatened with another smother- 
ing spell, and as soon as she could get breath, she 
said: “But you must ask Aunt Mary.” 

“Aunt Mary gave you to me, while we were yet 
at the old castle. But, Nora, jewel, I have just re- 
ceived a letter calling me to Ireland ” 

“Oh, you will not go !” And she clung to him, lest 
she should yet lose him. 

“Wait, jewel, and we shall see. I had an uncle, 
who has just died and left me his inheritance — he 
had no children, and no brother, save my father, 
who has been dead many years. He owned in his 


568 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

own right a splendid old place near Enniskillen, on 
the River Erne. Darling, shall we not go back to 
my native land, the home of my parents, and take 
up our abode in that splendid old homestead of my 
ancestors ?” 

“You darling old gnome ! I will go with you any- 
where, except to war — oh, stop — kis — sing — there, 
now ! Here's Captain Arranton coming in sight, 
seeking you. I shall run indoors." 

She darted away, and as she met Edwin, he doffed 
his hat, saying: 

“Aha, Miss Nora, aren’t you a brave one to be 
frightened by the appearance of so nice a gentleman 
as Lord Drysdale? ’Tis he and no other — a villain- 
ous-looking pirate ! Ha, ha, ha !” 

“Well, Captain, he is vallainous looking! Then 
aren’t you a gallant knight — to fly to your aunt’s 
assistance — to offer to rescue a lady with so for- 
midable a weapon as a drawn foil ? Ho, ho, ho !’’ 

“Come, Nora. He’ll never be friends with you 
for calling him a villain !’’ 

“He is villainous looking, and I daresay I shall 
not like him one bit.’’ And she attempted to pass 
him, but he caught her hands, and said: 

“But wait — he would be obliged to like you, could 
he see you now, your face so rosy — what is the mat- 
ter?’’ But she wrenched her hands away from his 
and fled into the house. 

Hi* 4* Hi* 

CHAPTER LIV. 

LORD MONTSTUART. 

“What can we wish that is not here, 

Between your arms and mine? 

Is there on earth a space so dear 
As that within the happy sphere 
Two loving arms entwine?” 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD. 569 

Lady Ha wren had repaired to her dressing room 
to dress for tea. Hearing a gentle tap at her door, 
she said: 

“Come in.” 

Nora entered with a glow of happiness on her face 
and was startled to note the rapture expressed on 
that of Lady Hawren. 

Gliding in, she clasped Her Ladyship in her arms, 
crying: 

“Oh, my Lady ” and buried her crimson face 

on Lady Hawren’s bosom. 

“Nora, Nora! What now?” 

“Oh !” she said, “I am so happy ! I have the dear- 
est lover on earth ; and we are to be married and gqj 
to Ireland to live in a dear old ancestral home ; and, 
oh! I do love him so!” 

“Major O’Connor? Oh, Nora, you are to be con- 
gratulated!” And her own heart beating in sym- 
pathy with Nora’s, she clasped her in her arms ; then 
drawing the young girl to a sofa, they sat and ex- 
changed confidences until they barely had time to 
be dressed for tea. 

As Lady Hawren seated herself at the tea table, 
she asked: 

“Edwin, why did not Major O’Connor remain to 
tea, and spend the evening with us? I should be 
pleased,” she said, addressing Lord Drysdale, “to 
present him to Your Lordship. He is an army 
officer, a fine Irish gentleman, and most excellent 
company.” Lord Drysdale bowed. 

“I cannot imagine, dear aunt, why he hastened 
back to quarters. There is something the matter* 
with the Major, he seemed all flurried, and told me 
he was determined to dispose of his commission 
and retire to private life. This is a sudden resolve. 
I tried to dissuade him, for I can scarcely think 
of leaving for foreign parts without him; but he 


570 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


seems immova ” Happening to glance at Nora, 

her flaming cheeks and brilliant eyes revealed to him 
the secret, and caused him to break off in his sen- 
tence. Lady Hawren was saying to Lord Drys- 
dale : 

“And, my Lord, what of Mrs. White, who took 
charge of the place we left? And Benjie; or do you 
happen to know?” 

“Oh, yes, my Lady, I remember to have heard Mr. 
Barry speak of them ! He sent an overseer with 
some slaves to take charge of the plantation — a Mr. 
Blake, who seemed to be the very man for the place, 
for, within a month, he and Mrs. White were hap- 
pily married. And Benjie, I have learned, has re- 
cently married a young lassie of the village near 
by.” 

“Ha! How obtruse I have been, Nora,” con- 
tinued Edwin, aside. 

“On the contrary, Captain, I think you an acute 
observer — possessed with quick sensibility,” she re- 
turned, sub voce, “but, hush-s-s ! Enough for the pres- 
sent.” 

“But — you will tell me all?” 

“Aye, sub rosa.” 

“You little rogue, you have stolen from me my 
friend ” 

“There, there ” 

“I am now reminded, Captain, that I have been 
intrusted with some important documents for you, 
which I must directly hand you, in which you will 
find, I am sure, communications most agreeable. It 
is a comfort to me to be the bearer of a pleasant 
message. It is from your friend and former guard- 
ian, Mr. Barry,” said Lord Drysdale. 

Though the rich aroma from the regi tea was 
exquisite, the flavor of the Tangerine oranges most 
delicious, the comfits and syllabub all that could 


EARL OF FLEETWOOD, 


5;i 


have been wished, very little of any was consumed, 
for each had a heart too full to think of eating. 
Lord Drysdale and Lady Hawren were far too 
happy to indulge in food. Edwin’s mind was so 
intent on meeting with his sweet Flora on the mor- 
row that he scarce gave thought to the conversa- 
tion or to the communication awaiting him from his 
beloved old guardian. Nora’s heart was in a tu- 
mult, her head in a whirl ; she knew she had almost 
worshipped the dear old soldier, but had not 
dreamed he could love her. She was too happy 
even to think, or to join in the conversation. 

After returning to the drawing-room, Edwin 
assisted his aunt in entertaining their guest; plying 
him with questions, and receiving much intelli- 
gence pf people and happenings in Williamsburg. 

When Edwin attended Lord Drysdale to the suite 
of apartments assigned him, his Lordship sought 
out the parcel which had been intrusted to his care, 
and handing it to Edwin, said : 

“Ah ! Edwin, Captain, I pray your pardon for my 
negligence, but we have been so happily engaged 
in conversation since my arrival, I must admit I had 
almost forgotten to deliver this important parcel.” 

“True, true, my Lord, I had quite forgotten my- 
self the kind letter from my dear guardian which 
your Lordship has so kindly conveyed, for which 
kindness pray accept my most humble gratitude. I 
will say good-night, now, and hasten to my own room 
and look into this too long neglected communica- 
tion,” said Edwin, as he took the parcel and de- 
parted for the seclusion of his own apartment, 
where, for a time, he walked up and down; then, 
with an effort he drew his mind from Flora and bent 
it upon the parcel he held in his hand, thinking it 
but a kindly letter from Mr. Barry. Seating himself 
beside a Jittje table and untying the ribbon, he 


572 EARL OF FLEETWOOD 

found a long letter in the familiar chirography of 
his guardian, enclosing another, the superscription 
of which he hastily read. He sprang to his feet, 
and walking the floor, read again : 

“To Edward, Lord Montstuart: From Donald 
Arranton, Baron of Strathdoon and Arranton.” 
Composing himself, he sat down and read and re- 
read the startling communications and documents. 
He paced the room with rapid and eager strides. 
His aunt had retired, all were at rest; there was 
none to whom he could speak to proclaim his joy. 
His emotion was so great that he bowed his head 
and wept as the truth dawned upon him that there 
was, now, nothing to debar an immediate union 
with Flora, the girl of his choice. All barriers were 
swept away; and how happy he would be to inform 
her on the morrow that he would never be forced 
from her again. 

Then carefully placing the parcel in his cabinet, 
he retired, not to sleep, but to spend the happiest 
night of his life in planning for the future. To- 
ward day he fell into a heavy sleep. 

Next morning he reread his papers to see that 
it was not all a cruel dream. Then he was not 
slow to descend to the sitting room. But early as 
he was, he found Lady Hawren and Lord Drysdale 
seated in front of the fire, in very close conversa- 
tion. Now breakfast was announced. 

Lady Hawren had ordered breakfast for three 
arranged in the little breakfast parlor adjoining 
the ladies’ sitting room. The three sat down and 
Lady Hawren dismissed the servants, that they 
might freely converse, for she and Lord Drysdale 
were to disclose to Edwin their betrothal and dis- 
cuss some matters pertaining thereto. Edwin had 
halfwav guessed their secret, and Lady Hawren was 
almos' overwhelmed by his exuberance of joy, for 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


573 - 


he hugged and kissed her till she was as rosy as a 
peach. She could not understand his happiness, he 
had been so cast down and sad; now all was joy 
and delight. Then he unfolded to her the contents 
of Mr. Barry’s letter, and read to them his Uncle 
Donald’s letter and the documents pertaining to 
the restoration of the title and estates. 

Sir Donald stated in his letter that he had been 
munificently rewarded for the suffering imposed 
upon the family on account of their disloyalty in 
past years ; that the title with the estates of Mont- 
stuart and Strathdoon, of which his ancestors had 
been deprived and which had been in abeyance for 
years, were restored in full. 

“And my dear aunt, Mr. Barry says: ‘Your uncle 
Donald, now Baron of Montstuart and Strathdoon, 
finds himself one of the wealthiest peers of Scot- 
land; his wife has been dead for over a year, and 
as you are next of kin in the male line, and as 
his title and estates will, at his death, fall on you, 
he desires you should come and take up your abode 
with him and be a comfort to him in his declining 
days/ And, dearest aunt, these documents show 
that my Uncle Donald has ‘conveyed to Edwin Ar- 
ranton, as his heir-prospective, the noble estate of 
Montstuart, with all its belongings, over which he 
is Lord/ Giving me, dear aunt, the rank to which 
my birth entitles me.” 

Congratulations flowed mutually among the 
happy trio, and Edwin, in his happiness, said : 

“And, darling aunt, just to think that Flora will 
arrive to-day! I had so dreaded the thought of be- 
ing forced to leave her again, but now I need 
never be separated from her. I shall at once dis- 
pose of my commission. There is nothing now to 
separate us.” And he thereupon confided to Lord 
Drysdale his love affair. And though “cradled on 


m 


I EARL 'OF FLEETWOOD 


ffch’e WinTer’s icy breast/' this joyous spring morning 
jcame on flushed in great beauty. 

At noon, the Fleetwood coach-and-six drew up at 
ithe steps, and Lord de Bruce was first to descend, 
for he had returned from his country seat just in 
lime to join them, and said he was not going to be 
'deprived of this delightful visit. Edwin greeted 
|the ladies as Lord de Bruce handed them down : 
First, Lady de Bruce, the Misses Bruneaugh, then 
Flora alighted in all her sweet simplicity, and was 
Astonished to find Edwin standing before her, blaz- 
ing in a splendid uniform, his face beaming with 
happiness, for he was looking forward to the felici- 
tous moment when he should have her to himself 
and tell her all. 

The ladies went in and were conducted to their 
Apartments ; but Edwin, seizing on Lord de Bruce, 
'drew him into the library, where he made him ac- 
quainted with his recent good fortune, told of his 
love for Flora, and asked permission to offer her 
his hand, saying: 

“The title and estates which have, for nearly 
a century, remained in abeyance, having at length 
been restored to the present heir, a descendant of 
Sir Robert Arranton, whose heir I am, and all things 
in regard to the titles and restoration having been 
made, the Lordship of Montstuart having been set- 
tled on me, I may expect to inherit a fortune, if not 
superior quite equal to that which Lady Marjorie 
de Bruce will possess ; and having given her proof 
of a disinterested attachment, I feel no hesitancy in 
laying before Your Lordship my wish of seeking a 
union with your daughter, fully trusting that her 
affections, like my own, have during her long ab- 
sence remained unchanged." 

Lord de Bruce was much pleased, but said: 

“It is rather hard on us, my dear Lord Mont- 


! EARL OF FLEETWOOD 


575 

stuart, to recover our daughter after so many years, 
then be forced to give her up so soon.” 

The auspicious moment was not long in coming, 
and while Edwin and Flora, in an ecstasy of love, 
walked forth in the garden, he told her of his good 
fortune in not being forced from her presence 
again and of her father’s sanction to their love and 
a speedy union ; after which they would take their 
departure for Arranton Castle, on the lovely banks 
o’Doon. “As Baron of Strathdoon and Arranton, 
my uncle, is desirous that the honors of his family 
should be supported by one who is to become his 
heir.” 

Now “there was love and joy enough,” and “Hope 
enchanted, smiled, and waved her golden hair.” For 

“Knight and ladye fair are met, 

And under the hawthorn boughs are set; 

A fairer pair were never seen 
To meet beneath the hawthorne green; 

He was stately and young and tall, 

Dreaded in battle and loved in hall; 

And when lovee, scarce told, scarce hid, 

Lent to her cheek a wildering red; 

When the half sigh her swelling breast 
Against the silken ribbon prest; 

When her blue eyes their secret told, 

Tho shaded by her locks of gold, 

Where would you find ‘another pair 
With Edwin and Flora’ might compare?” 

And on the morrow there was still another ar- 
rival — but this visit of the Earl of Fleetwood will 
be referred to in the sequel, under the title of “Lady 
Hawdon ; or Cupid at the Altar.” In which we will 
again meet with many of our old friends, and where 
particulars, left unfinished in this volume, will be 
carried out to completion. 

Written at Innisfell, Fifteenth January, 19—. 

THE END. 









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